SFRS hosts Scottish rescue challenge

Crews were put to the test at Pinkston Watersports centre and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s National Training Centre in Cambuslang on Friday and Saturday.

Dozens of firefighters from services such as London Fire Brigade, Country Durham and Darlington, Cumbria and Tyne and Wear were assessed in water rescue and road traffic collisions.

The realistic scenarios were judged by United Kingdom Rescue Organisation (UKRO) assessors and supported by SFRS senior officers. 

And the firefighters of the future got their chance to take part, with youth volunteers from across Scotland challenging in their own dedicated trauma challenge.

Deputy assistant chief officer Paul Stewart is SFRS’ head of training and employee development.

He said: “We were delighted to host our colleagues from across the UK in what was a very successful event.

“These challenges are held not only in the spirit of competition, but more importantly, to share skills and techniques in partnership that will help us keep communities even safer.

“It is an excellent opportunity to broaden skillsets, meet colleagues from across the UK and I wish the best of luck to our teams who will be representing the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service at the UK National Rescue challenge hosted by Derbyshire Fire and Rescue later this year.

DACO Stewart continued: “I must also offer big well done to our youth volunteers, who showcased their own dedication, maturity and willingness to learn throughout the day and our trainee firefighters from Clydebank who performed admirably well in the extrication challenge.”

The winning Scottish teams were the SFRS Water Rescue training team in the Water Rescue challenge and Stranraer in the Extrication Challenge.

Overall winners were County Durham and Darlington Fire Service in the water rescue challenge and Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service in the Extrication Challenge.

And young firefighters from Dumbarton took the top spot in the YFF trauma challenge.

DACO Stewart added: “My congratulations and thanks goes to all of those who took part across both days, and our dedicated staff who worked hard to bring colleagues from across the UK together for this challenge.

“I  would also like to thank our crews who have continued to respond to emergencies throughout the event. They are giving colleagues the opportunity to expand on their life-saving skills which they can share with others.”

Winning teams will now go on to represent Scotland at the UK challenge later this year to be held in Derbyshire.