Rescue challenge brings lifesavers together
FIRST responders to road and trauma accidents from all around Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong will gather in Dubbo this weekend to compete in the Australasian Rescue Championships. Groups of medical and technical personnel from organisations such as Fire and Rescue NSW, Police and the SES will be put through their paces in a series of practical challenges that replicate real life road accidents and first aid situations.
Australasian Road Rescue Organisation executive officer Steve Rothwell said the accidents are made to look as realistic as possible in order to give rescuers an accurate idea of what it would be like to be first on the scene in real life.
“We bring along our own technicians who prepare the mannequins as if they have been in a real road crash, so it can look pretty gory, and none of the incidents are made-up – all of them are actually situations that rescuers have been to,” he told Dubbo
“The team leader is assessed on his or her command capability; the tool operators are assessed on their use of tools to cut the car open and then the medics are assessed by a medical assessor on their pre-hospital care on the patient.”
There is also a day of workshops being held at the Dubbo RSL where attendees have the chance to learn new rescue techniques.
This year, keynote speakers will cover car door entry and dealing with loose tires on heavy vehicles.
Mr Rothwell said the annual competition is all about bringing likeminded individuals together to advance the art and science of road crash rescue.
“The rescuers get new information, they get hands-on opportunities, they are assessed on their own capabilities and network with other rescuers and share stories and experiences.
“They then go back to their brigade or their agency and they then put those learnings back into their agency.
“At the end of the day, what we are trying to do is reduce road trauma by correct intervention, medical application and tool application.”
On Sunday evening, after three days of learning and competing, there’s an awards presentation ceremony and an overall winner is announced.
The two top rescue teams then go on to represent their country at the world titles next year at a location yet to be announced.
The public is welcome to attend and watch the rescuers respond to faux accidents at the Dubbo Showground from 8am this Saturday and Sunday. ON Monday, July 22, council considered a mayoral minute regarding the request from former Mayor of Dubbo City Council Mathew Dickerson to approach Local Government NSW (LGNSW) to nominate him for the award of the title of Emeritus Mayor for his service as Mayor.
Although Mr Dickerson’s time of service does not meet the LGNSW prerequisite of six (6) years, Dubbo Regional Council has endorsed his nomination to LGNSW.