South Wales firefighters win World Rescue Organisation Challenge

Current World Champions and National Champions, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service – Bridgend Extrication Team, travelled to Capetown, South Africa, to compete in the prestigious annual event, competing against 30 of the world’s most talented teams.

Tackling a number of difficult scenarios across three disciplines, the team completed a rapid event 10-minute scenario with one casualty, a standard event 20-minute scenario with one casualty and a 30-minute complex scenario with two casualties.

The event was an opportunity for the team to display their elite skills, taking the world title for the sixth time following months of intense training and preparation. Their win comes just weeks after the team retained their national title as winners of the United Kingdom Rescue Organisation Challenge – a title they have won five times.

They have now made history with the team winning back to back championships of Wales, UK and World Competitions in three consecutive years.

Team members SM Andrew Morgan, SM Roger Magan, CM Les Evans, WM Allyn Hosey, CM Huw Hughes and FF Matthew Greenman scored highly in all elements of the challenge with team captain, SM Andrew Morgan, again being awarded the Best Incident Commander accolade.

Team Leader, Andrew Morgan, said: “It is an absolute honour to compete alongside so many great teams from across the world, and we are thrilled to be able to bring the world title back home again to South Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

“As well as being a global contest, the World Rescue Organisation Challenge is always a great learning opportunity for us and a chance for firefighting colleagues across the world to share their rescue techniques and skills. I am so proud to be part of a very special group of people who yet again have managed to achieve a fantastic win”

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer Huw Jakeway QFSM, said: “2018 has been another fantastic year for SWFRS- Bridgend Extrication Team and I want to congratulate them on yet another tremendous achievement.

“Their professionalism is truly world class and they make all at South Wales Fire and Rescue Service extremely proud.”

The team will now take a well-earned rest and start training early next year in readiness for the UK and World Challenges of 2019.