Media Opportunity

Issued: 1.08.08
At: 3:30pm
For immediate release

Firefighters Congratulated On Competition Win

You are invited to attend Southern Fire and Rescue Station at 9am on Wednesday 6
August, where Dave Webb, Chief Fire and Rescue Officer, will be congratulating all
members of the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team for winning the USAR
competition at the World Extrication Challenge that took place on 10 July at the
Cardiff International Arena.

A team of six firefighters, representing Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, took
first place, against other fire and rescue service teams, in the Best Overall USAR
team category in the United Kingdom Rescue Organisation (UKRO) World Extrication
Challenge.

The firefighters were marked on their ability to deal with a dummy scenario which
was set up to test their specialist technical rescue skills. The team were faced with
an unstable wall that needed stabilising to enable them to break through the wall,
using specialist equipment, so that search cameras could be used to assess the
emergency situation. They then proceeded through a collapsing tunnel to free the
casualty, who was trapped underneath a concrete block, and successfully bring the
person to safety.

Dave Webb, Chair of the UKRO and Chief Fire and Rescue Officer, said:

‘I would like to congratulate the team on winning this competition, this is a
fantastic achievement and I am very pleased that the team have got the
recognition that they deserve for their hard work.’

ENDS

Notes to News Desk
All members of the media are invited to attend Southern Fire and Rescue Station,
Meridian East, LE19 1WZ at 9am on Wednesday 6 August 2008.

PLEASE CALL TO CONFIRM YOUR ATTENDANCE.

Photo and Interview Opportunity
Dave Webb, Chair of UKRO and Chief Fire and Rescue Officer for Leicestershire
Fire and Rescue Service will be available for photos/interview.
All six members of the winning USAR team will be available for interviews/photos.

Background
UKRO is a fast moving dynamic organisation that is determined to push vehicle
extrication to its professional pinnacle, to drive the national agenda on road death
reduction and to showcase other rescue disciplines including trauma, line rescue and
urban search and rescue.
For further information please visit: www.ukro.org

Contact Information
For more information please contact:
Corporate Communications
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service

Tel 0116 287 2241