A multi-agency team representing the state has returned victorious from the United Kingdom Rescue Organisation (UKRO) Challenge, excelling in swift water training, on-water boat training, vehicle extrication, and trauma training.
Members from NSW State Emergency Service (SES), VRA Rescue NSW, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Ambulance, NSW Rural Fire Service and Surf Life Saving joined forces to participate in the challenge. The NSW team won 1st place in the Water Rescue Challenge and 1st place internationally in the trauma and vehicle extraction challenges.
NSW SES Waverley-Woollahra volunteer Max Henderson competed in swift water challenges, while Hawkesbury volunteer Matt Thornton was part of the road crash rescue team.
During one emergency scenario, the NSW road crash rescue team had a strict 20-minute timeframe to retrieve two individuals trapped under overturned cars. Remarkably, they completed the rescue in just 14 minutes.
In another high-pressure environment, the swift water rescue team engaged in skills such as boat pinning, confined space manoeuvres, and casualty pickups in rough waters.
Waverley-Woollahra volunteer Max Henderson, who was ranked as the 1st position for Helm on the water rescue challenge, said it was a valuable training in swift water rescue techniques.
“I was honoured to represent the NSW SES on an international stage. The training was intense but invaluable, highlighting differences in rescue practices between Australia and the UK. I appreciated the opportunity to learn new techniques.”
Mr Henderson said there were parallels between the UK and Australia in emergency response training.
“While their approaches share similarities, environmental factors create crucial differences. In the UK, dry suits are strictly used for water rescues, enhancing safety and effectiveness,” he said.
"They also tend to train for scenarios they frequently encounter, whereas in Australia, we train beyond what we are faced with.”
NSW SES Hawkesbury Unit Volunteer, Matt Thornton highlighted the value of collaborating with diverse teams.
“Working alongside others reinforced that our training is world-class. I learned about the EXIT study in the UK, which focuses on expediting extrications to minimise patient risk—a game-changer.”
“These challenges not only benefit us personally but ultimately enhance the service we provide to our community. We respond to about 60 road crash rescues annually in the Hawkesbury Unit, and the techniques I learned will benefit my fellow members,” Mr Thornton said.
NSW SES Acting Commissioner Debbie Platz praised the volunteers on their results.
“Their participation in the UKRO Challenge displays our commitment to excellence in flood and road crash rescue and facilitates global knowledge exchange. This experience enriches our service and strengthens international cooperation in emergency response.”
The team, which included NSW Ambulance elite paramedic rescue officers, smashed the competition, receiving praise by the Chairman of UKRO, Neil Odin, for the unprecedented result by an international team.
The results (by points):
- 🥇1st place Overall in the Water Rescue Challenge
- 🥇1st place Overall for Incident Commander in the Water Rescue Challenge
- 🥇1st place International (4th place Overall, out of 30 teams) in the Trauma Challenge (Joel de’Zuna and Jane Huebner)
- 🥇1st place International (10th place overall, out of 30 teams) in the Vehicle Extrication Challenge.
NSW Multi Agency Rescue Team
- Shannon Crofton
- Dan van Keimpema
- Rob McMahon
- Max Henderson
- Adam Richards
- Michael Cameron
- Joel de’Zuna
- Jane Huebner
- Tony Hine
- Matthew Thornton
- Riley Nolan
- Colin Munro
- Kathryn Crofts
Huge congratulations to the NSW team for pitching their skills in a highly competitive arena and to the NSW Ambulance staff who participated, proving why NSW Ambulance is among the gold standard of emergency services around the world.
