Kildare fire-fighters taking part in annual RTC and Trauma Challenge today

By Kim O'Leary

Today a team from Kildare Fire Service is set to participate in the annual Rescue Organisation Ireland National RTC & Trauma Challenge which is taking place from in Tipperary Fire and Rescue’s Nenagh Fire Station.

The crew taking part in this year’s challenge are: Back Row L-R: Robbie Morris (Maynooth), Derek Bergin (Newbridge), Paul O'Rourke Glynn (Athy), Andy Lorenzo (Maynooth), Andrew McGarry (Newbridge), Shane O'Brien (Newbridge).

Front Row L-R: Seanie Bradley (Athy), Adam Smyth (Monasterevin)¸Damien O’Neill (Maynooth) and Niall Corcoran (Maynooth).

Taking to social media, Kildare Fire Service said: “The Rescue Org Ireland event was initially set up to train, improve and develop the skills of many rescue organisations across Ireland. Our Kildare team has trained hard over the past number of weeks ahead of the event and are hoping to bring the silverware home!”

Rescue Organisation Ireland (ROI) is a voluntary organisation and a registered charity and it was founded by members of the Irish Fire & Emergency Services as a means of improving, updating & standardising the training of Emergency Service personnel (in particular Fire Service) who regularly respond and deal with Road Traffic Collisions (RTCs) on Irelands roads.

It was a response to the consistently high level of incidents on our roads and how we as professionals in the Emergency Services can strive to improve & train to be better at what we do. It is only by the drive and commitment of its members that we have developed to the point that today ROI is the leading authority on Crash Rescue techniques & RTC training in Ireland and a Level 1 member of the World Rescue Organisation (WRO – www.wrescue.org).

The Committee of ROI comprises members from across the island and covers various roles and organisations within the Irish Emergency Services. Together they are working hard to bring the focus of casualty centred training & rescue to operational emergency responding personnel throughout Ireland.

Every year ROI holds a National Challenge event which is focused on RTC Extrication and Trauma scenarios. Regular Skills Development Days are also held.

These events are hosted in different locations around Ireland, in conjunction with the particular Fire Authority as a means of promoting casualty centred training and the 'Challenge concept' in all corners of Ireland.