Werribee Fire Brigade is all too familiar with the importance of road accident rescue training and maintaining skills, particulary with the recent save of a young girl.
Five firefighters from Werribee Fire Brigade recently completed their training as rescue operators and are now able to crew the Werribee rescue unit. They were Olivia Cox, Dominique Sicura, Rohan Rizzoli, Rohan Twaites and Tom Maczka, who had all served as firefighters for more than two years before being eligible to apply for rescue training.
Senior brigade rescue instructor Lieutenant Lino Zulian said they studied and trained hard over 12 weeks to achieve their accreditation after being assessed by members from Melton Rescue brigade.
Werribee Rescue is the busiest CFA volunteer rescue unit in the state. Between Monday 11 December and Thursday 14 December, the brigade responded to nine motor vehicle accidents in the Werribee/Hoppers Crossing area. Thankfully, none of these was serious.
Werribee Fire Brigade rescue crews are very experienced and have competed and won the Australasian Road Rescue Challenge three times and competed in the world challenge in London, as well as winning state competitions. Werribee Fire Brigade became involved in road crash rescue in 1969 and at that time members attended numerous serious accidents on the Princes Highway and Maltby By Pass. Now, unfortunately, most of the accidents the brigade is called to are on the local suburban roads.
All rescue operators must be competent first aid/trauma trained responders as on odd occasions the rescue unit is on scene before paramedics. This recently occurred at a truck and car accident at Wyndham Vale when rescue crew members gave crucial medical assistance to a young trapped passenger with serious, multiple life-threatening head and chest injuries, before paramedics arrived. They then removed the occupant from the badly damaged SUV.
This initial treatment provided a positive contribution to the person's outcome, and she was recently released from hospital. She will continue to receive further care due to the seriousness of her injuries.
Werribee brigade members train with a passion to maintain and improve their skillset in all aspects of road, domestic and industrial rescue, as their response area covers all of the City of Wyndham.
Captain Michael Wells reminds all road users in Wyndham to exercise a little more care over the Christmas/New Year period and drive safely.