Rescue team is still the best
SOUTH Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s (SWFRS) Bridgend extrication team has held on to its UK title for the sixth year running.
The team remains the best in the country after defending its UK Extrication Team title at the United Kingdom Rescue Organisation (UKRO) Challenge in Cardiff Bay. The team also picked up Best UK Extrication Technical Team and Best UK Extrication Medic.
Hosted by SWFRS, the event saw 600 firefighters battle it out in trauma, water, extrication, rope and urban search and rescue challenges, showcasing the very best in rescue skills and techniques from services across the UK.
The event saw SWFRS also claim its position as Best Overall UK Rope Rescue Team and Best UK Technical Rope Rescue Team.
Chief Fire Officer Huw Jakeway said: “I am inspired by the skill shown by all our teams and I congratulate them on their welldeserved success. These titles may be awarded through a competition, but the skills on display are those that our firefighters use every day keeping the people of South Wales safe.
“All our teams continue to make us all very proud and I make my own special congratula- tions to all our teams that competed, who have dedicated their own time in preparing for this challenge.
“I am especially proud of our Bridgend Extrication Team. This is the sixth time they have won this prestigious challenge. Within the next few weeks they will also depart to defend their world title in South Africa, and we wish them all the very best.”
The Bridgend Extrication Team will fly out to South Africa to defend their world title at the World Rescue Organisation Challenge on October 23-26.
Officer in charge, station manager Andy Morgan, said: “It was an amazing feeling when the results were given out.”