July 26, 2012 9.00 am This story is over 140 months old

Fire and Rescue host national firefighting challenge

Fire challenge: Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue will be hosting a special national event next month, and the public are invited to watch.

Firefighters from across the UK will gather in Lincoln to demonstrate and improve their skills at a prestigious event.

The UK Rescue Challenge on August 24 and 25, hosted by Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, will see 130 teams compete in a series of simulated rescues.

There will be a range of incidents and mock casualties fire teams will have to overcome. Incidents range from water rescues to high-rise buildings (using the University of Lincoln’s atrium) and a collapsed structure.

The biggest challenge, featuring only 50 teams, will be rescuing casualties from a car crash in 20 minutes.

Residents are invites to watch all the teams test their skills, plus a range of family fun activities to enjoy.

Activities include a graffiti artist, climbing wall, street performers, street first aid and a fly-past by the Red Arrows.

Audiences will also get the chance to meet some of the local team’s rescue dogs too.

This is the first time the event has featured a water challenge, thanks to the Brayford Pool and Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue’s new boats — the biggest flood response fleets in the UK.

Dave Ramscar, chief fire officer from Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, said: “Every day of the year, Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue stands ready to respond to calls for help.

“But it’s not just flames that we tackle. Our specialist teams are on hand to deal with incidents like collapsed buildings, car crashes and international disasters.

“The Rescue Challenge will give you the opportunity to see them put their finely-honed skills into action, alongside other teams from across the UK.

“We’re very proud to be hosting the event, which will be a great showcase of the world-renowned quality of our nation’s fire service.”

Steve Apter, chairman of the UK Rescue Organisation, said: “The UK Rescue Challenge is the culmination of hours of dedicated training and honing of skills across a wide range of technical skills.

“It’s a world-class event, showcasing the pinnacle of the nation’s rescue expertise.”

To watch the challenges, visit the University of Lincoln and the Brayford Pool from 10am until 4pm.