Volunteers from CFA and Victoria SES in East Gippsland have gained the skills and knowledge to undertake steep angle rescue, completing their final capability assessment earlier this month.
This is the first Steep Angle Rescue team for East Gippsland and includes 20 members from CFA District 11 and East Region VicSES.
The group's final assessment involved a response to embankments, such as when a car has crashed over an edge, or someone has fallen down an embankment.
The exercise is the entry level into the rope rescue discipline, but still requires a significant amount of proficiency. The rescue teams used two ropes and a stretcher to complete the exercise.
The group of participants would like to congratulate both VicSES and CFA on their commitment, hard work and determination over the past months, and their vision towards to forming a team in East Gippsland.
Participants have not only gained the skills and knowledge to be able to undertake steep angle rescue but have also completed the capability assessment, providing further evidence that their skills and knowledge can be applied practically.
The comradery that has built over the time is genuine and is also one of the benefits from undertaking a well organised and structured course. As a spin off some brigades and units have started undertaking joint training exercises in road crash rescue which may be expanded in the future.
Running this relatively new multi-agency course requires many hours of planning and arranging.
To all members who undertook this course we can only thank you for your passion, dedication, friendship and compassion for your communities.
We would like to acknowledge other units/brigades that provide steep angle rescue across Victoria.
In finishing the participants would like to acknowledge;
- Vin Bingham and his relentless preparation work and for keeping all participants informed on all matters
- VicSES for providing equipment for the multi-agency team
- Aaron Worcester for his practical skills and experience
- The quality and depth of support from SES, MFB and CFA trainers
- Those involved in our assessments for their honesty and insight throughout the process