London Fire Brigade is to host the UK Rescue Challenge, the most prestigious rescue competition in the firefighter calendar. Held at the award winning ExCel Centre in London's Docklands in September, the two day event promises to be the biggest and best yet since it was first held in 2002.

The national event, held at one of the 2012 Olympic venues, will see London's firefighters competing against other fire and rescue services in numerous rescue disciplines. Demonstrating leading advancements in rescue techniques and capabilities, fire crews will be showcasing their skills in vehicle extrication, trauma, line rescue and USAR, urban search and rescue disciplines.

As well as providing an opportunity for healthy competition and rivalry between the teams, the event will include a trade exhibition and a variety of real-life demonstrations. The exhibition aims to demonstrate advances in equipment used by professional firefighters on the incident ground.

London Fire Brigade Assistant Commissioner Steve Hamm, in charge of firefighter training, said: "By participating in the UK Rescue Challenge, our firefighters  get a chance to test new equipment, employ innovative rescue procedures and share best practice with other brigades, all of which helps improve the way our fire crews rescue casualties at real incidents."

Steve added: "We've been participating in this national competition for the past nine years and now have a unique opportunity to showcase our excellent rescue work as well as engage with the public on a huge scale.  We are hoping to make this year's competition the biggest yet".

The competition's success has steadily grown since 2002, with around 50 teams representing the majority of the brigades in England, Scotland and Wales. London Fire Brigade has been regularly entering teams in trauma and vehicle extrication disciplines, with new USAR and line rescue teams representing the brigade at the UK Rescue Challenge London 2011.

UK Rescue Challenge London 2011, set up by UK Rescue Organisation (UKRO), will be run by the brigade funded entirely from sponsorship and contributions from the trade exhibition.       

 

Date posted: 16.02.11