Fire chief goes whole hog to set up ‘crashes’

Firefighters gathered in Queenstown are vying for top place in a roadside-rescue-skills competition, but setting up the simulated crashes to test those skills has involved huge preparations.

Fire brigades from throughout New Zealand kicked off the threeday National Road Rescue Challenge yesterday and will be tested on their ability to efficiently extricate and treat live patients throughout the event.

However, Rolleston chief fire officer and challenge scenario manager Nigel Lilly, saida huge amount of preparation went into setting up the crash scenarios.

‘‘Today we’ve got simulations including a car that’s crashed into a power pole that’s toppled on impact and brought down live power lines, and a car that’s underrun a truck from the rear, both with live patients in them who have to be rescued and treated,’’ he said.

While those scenes needed car and truck wreckage, as well props such as power poles, steel cables and large concrete blocks, others used chainsaws and shotguns, used to recreate farming and hunting accidents, and were sprinkled with an assortment of fake severed limbs.

‘‘These types of scenarios are not unrealistic for our guys and girls, especially for those from small rural brigades that are often the first respondents to accidents like these – it’s all about honing the wide range of skills that they need,’’ Mr Lilly said.

Although events such as the roadside-rescue challenge were designed to hone the skills of firefighters, they also served as important bonding and networking for Fire Service personnel from around the country.

‘‘There’s a huge camaraderie amongst us, and often people will meet at events like this and end up being mates for life.

‘‘There’s always a place to stay no matter where you are in the country, and that’s all part of being a firefighter.’’

Many smaller rural communities were ‘‘screaming out’’ for volunteers, and anyone who had a desire to get involved should contact their local brigades, Mr Lilly said.