South Barwon rescuers take on the world’s best

SIX volunteer emergency service workers from the South Barwon unit will fly the flag for Australia at the World Rescue Challenge in England in October.
The local State Emergency Services team earned the right to take on the best in the world after winning the national challenge in Canberra last year.
The world challenge, contested at Moreton-in-Marsh in Gloucestershire, tests the skills of the finest fire and rescue crews from around the globe.
In the challenge they respond to simulated accident scenarios, extrication techniques and the event allows crews to exchange information and advancements in technology.
The 2014 challenge will feature two categories: extrication and trauma.
Racing against the clock, each team is assessed on skills of command, technical acumen and the ability to use of a wide range of tools and medical care.
The South Barwon team has committed to a busy schedule of training and fundraising for this trip.
Team leader Caroline Taylor said representing other Victorian SES units at the competition was the culmination of years of training and hard work.
“Without the commitment of each individual we would not have come so far. The team is very excited to learn new skills, meet other rescuers from around the world and take on the world’s best extrication teams,” she said.
The squad includes team leader, Caroline Taylor, the technical team of Joshua Hutton, Andrew Murton, Tim Hutton and the medical team, Jordan Kehoe and Andy Pitchford. In addition to their roles in the extrication team, Jordan and Andy will also be competing in the trauma challenge.
Follow the South Barwon Rescue Teams progress at facebook.com/vicses/Vicses-South-West-Rescue-Team