Alice Springs hosted approximately 120 participants from national and international fire and rescue agencies as the NT hosts the Australasian Rescue Challenge (ARC) for the first time.
Minister for Police Fire and Emergency Services Peter Chandler said the Territory is honoured to be part of this prestigious event, aptly named ‘Outback Rescue’.
“Participants were not only competing in the red centre and the heart of Australia but, gained an appreciation for the remoteness that many of the Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service (NTFRS) rescuers work with day in – day out,” Mr Chandler said.
“The challenge is designed to test your knowledge and practical application of casualty care and rescue management in an ever increasing discipline that rescuers are confronted with on a daily basis.
“Emerging as this year’s 2015 champions won’t be easy when competitors are also learning new skills as they go, and striving to be the very best in all the ultra-competitive elements of the Challenge.
“Each team consisted of six members who include a leader, a medic and tool operators. Teams are assessed on a range of subject matter by experts on differing scenarios reflecting actual ‘on road’ incidents.
“The scenarios were staged under controlled environments designed to depict realistic situations that you would normally encounter as rescue workers.
“Over the past few days competitors have been working under demanding and quite stressful conditions so their leadership has been tested, teamwork challenged and crisis communication under the microscope.
“All participants rose to the challenge with supporters and spectators captivated by the effectiveness and expertise of those associated within the rescue family.
“Centralians once again have embraced a major event with locals and tourists visiting the Challenge yesterday, and participating in the many social and community education activities available.
“I invite the Australian Road Rescue Organisation to come back to the Northern Territory again soon, and trust the time spent in the Alice has been a remarkable experience.
“The Northern Territory Event Management Team also deserves gratitude for the time and dedication they have committed in making this a quality event.”
ARC is an annual event which operates under the auspices of Australian Road Rescue Organisation and is hosted by an operational road crash rescue agency within a particular State and or Territory on a rotational basis.