Local firefighters scoop world title for third year in a row

The Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS)’ six-strong competition rescue team scooped the 2013 World Rescue Challenge, for a third consecutive year - a hat trick no other team has achieved to date, according to the RBFRS.
Held in Clearwater, Florida from November 1 to 3, the challenge saw the team faced with road traffic collision scenarios, working against the clock using specialist cutting equipment to rescue real-life ‘casualties’, whilst being marked by a panel of international judges.
Team member, Phil Aiken, aged 37, a Pangbourne Fire Station watch manager, said they battled around 30 teams from all over the world, including other UK firefighters from London and South Wales, in three accident scenarios.
They had ten minutes to rescue a ‘non responsive casualty’ from the side of a vehicle, then 20 minutes to rescue another ‘casualty’ from the rear of a vehicle on its side, utilising hydraulic lifting equipment, after removing the seats and rear tail gate.
The third, 30 minute, complex scenario, involved two 'casualties' upside down inside an a vehicle flipped on its roof, resting on top of another vehicle:
“It was my job to crawl in through a space slightly larger than my head to get to the patient,” said Mr Aiken.
Their huge trophy - a hand carved eagle - had the firefighters scratching their heads on how to get it back to England on their flight home: “We ended up getting a box and shipping it home by freight,” said Mr Aiken.
Individual roles were also judged, including the incident commander and medic, and along with their team win, the RBFRS team scooped a further three prizes - first in the best technical category, second for best incident commander and second place for best medic.
It was the last such competition for Group Manager, Paul Maynard, who led them to all three victories and is to retire from the team after 18 years, to become an assessor for the United Kingdom Rescue Organisation.
“I am very proud and absolutely delighted that we have won the World Rescue Challenge for the third year running. The standard of the teams taking part gets higher with every challenge and this year was no exception, so we really had to give it our all,” said Mr Maynard.
Chief Fire Officer, Andy Fry, said winning the title for three years in a row was, he said: “Absolutely outstanding,” adding:
“The fact that this has never been done before is testament to their hard work and dedication, and I am very proud of the team.”