This morning the team of seven competed in its first event, which involved extracting two patients from a vehicle that had crashed and rolled onto its roof.
“The circumstances were made quite difficult with one patient trapped inside the vehicle and one trapped underneath,” Rescue Team Leader Rob Mitchell said.
“But the first event was quite successful and we’ve received some positive feedback which is great.”
Throughout the challenge, participants compete in three scenario classes - Entrapped, Controlled and Immediate – and within each class, are assessed in the skill areas of Command, Technical and Medical.
“We get a lot out of the challenge in terms of skills to be able to bring back to our own brigade and to others brigades,” Rob said.
“It is also great practice for the World Challenge which we will be competing in this October.”
For the past two years the team has won the Australasian competition and last year competed in the world event in Wellington for the first time, where it came second.
This year’s team includes Rob Mitchell, Lino Zulia, Adrian Kendall, Michael Wells, Mark Mummery, Phil Menzies and Trevor Weston. While the team’s membership has changed over time, Werribee CFA has been competing in the challenge for more than 10 years.
The Road Rescue Challenge demonstrates the best practice in road crash management and provides a forum where various agencies involved in road rescues can learn new techniques and skills.
The challenge begins with a learning seminar followed by three days of practical scenario competition and learning workshops. It ends with a trade exhibition showcasing the latest technology in rescue equipment.
This year’s competition is being held at Princes Wharf in Hobart in conjunction with Ambulance Tasmania, State Emergency Service and Tasmania Police.
Later today, Werribee will compete in its second event, with its final event to be held tomorrow at 5pm and the results announced on Sunday.
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