Two Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service teams headed to Targu Mures, Transylvania in Romania to compete in the annual World Rescue Challenge.

The challenge involved teams from across the globe including America, South Africa, New Zealand, France, Luxembourg, Portugal, Brazil, Ireland and the UK. The 33 extrication and 36 trauma teams were assessed by world leading doctors, paramedics and experts in the field of extrication tools.

HWFRS were the highest placed UK team in the trauma challenge, and combined with the extrication team won the most awards of any one service.

The HWFRS trauma team placed second overall in the event behind Praia da Victoria Fire & Rescue Service (Portugal). The trauma challenge was made up of two scenarios: one standard involving one casualty and one complex scenario that involved two casualties.

The extrication team were also placed second overall behind Bridgend Service (South Wales). The Road Traffic Collision (RTC) extrication challenge has teams competing to demonstrate how to safely extricate trapped casualties in the various scenario’s; the RTC extrication challenge was made up of one rapid (10 minutes for one casualty), one standard (20 minutes for one casualty) and one complex scenario (30 minutes two casualties).