Success for Essex Fire & Rescue extrication team

It’s official – Essex County Fire & Rescue Service has one of the country’s most skillful ‘extrication teams’, following a competition held in North Lincolnshire recently.

The extrication team finished runner up in the Humberside Regional Road Traffic Collision and Trauma Challenge, organized by UKRO (United Kingdom Rescue Organisation) and held at Seven Lakes Country Park, Crowle on 11 July.

As well as coming second in the team event there were also individual plaudits for the officer in charge, Kevin Mitson, and trauma technician Anthony Clements, both of whom also finished second in their fields at the competition.

Sub Officer Kevin Mitson (Training) said: “It was a great result and reflected a great effort by the team.

“We have all worked hard training and it was good to see the work paying off and to know that the techniques and procedures we have been using are in line with the judges’ expectations.

“This was the last regional event before the national finals at the end of July, so it is a real confidence boost for the team to do so well.”

Acting Chief Fire Officer Adam Eckley, who attended the event, said: “I was really proud of the entire team.

“I watched them in action and it was a truly impressive display. Especially seeing the entire team working together to carry out a successful   extrication without using any cutting equipment.”

The seven strong team comprises: Kevin Mitson, Anthony Clements, Nick Singleton and Jeremey Tuckwell from the Service’s training section; Colchester firefighter Kelvin Tuckwell, and Clacton firefighters Andy Edwards and Mick Lawrence. The team is led by Divisional Officer Nigel Dilley.

They can next be seen in action at the UKRO 2015 National Challenge which takes place between Thursday 30 July and Sunday 1 August at the Fire Service College, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire.

21 July 2015