Scottish Fire and Rescue Service launches 2020 Rescue Challenge

Crews will have their skills in road traffic collision casualty extraction and water rescue put to the test at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Scottish Rescue Challenge 2020 later this year.

On 29 May teams will take part in the water challenge at Pinkston Watersports, Glasgow and the SFRS' National Training Centre in Cambuslang will play host to the extrication challenge on 30 May.

The events put teams to the test by challenging their technical skills, teamwork and knowledge in a series of exercises, with the aim of better equiping SFRS and its colleagues to protect communities.

And SFRS is issuing an open invite to fire and rescue services across the UK and Europe.

Group commander Stuart McQueen is the SFRS lead for the challenge.

He said: "We are delighted to once again be extending an open invite to partners and colleagues from across the UK and beyond to take part in the Scottish Rescue Challenge.

"This is an incredible opportunity to not only put your skills to the test, but extend your personal development and share skills and learnings that will ultimately help keep communities safe.

"The vision behind this competition is to progress professional rescue, and working with UKRO and Institute of Fire Engineers, we want every team to take away the tools and support that they can use at the roadside or on waterways when they need them most."

The water rescue challenge will see specialist crews working to rescue casualties from realistically simulated environments, including a person trapped in fast moving flood waters in a car.

On the second day, crews will work to extract casualties from cars using hydraulic equipment, and will be tested on their casualty handling and technical skills.

And all those involved in either challenge, water or extraction, will be awarded Continued Personal Development by the Institute of Fire Engineers.

The top two SFRS teams from each discipline will represent the SFRS at the UK National Rescue Challenge. This year, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service will be hosting the event between 18 and 19 September.

For more information, email the sfrs.scottishrescuechallenge1@firescotland.gov.uk or contact the SFRS National Training Centre.
 
Closing date for entries is 30 April.