After successfully being awarded a scholarship through the NSW SES Volunteers Association, and the recipient of the 2011 Greg Slater Memorial Scholarship through the NSW SES, Shannon Crofton, has just come back from a three week research tour in the United States to be met with the exciting news that he has been successful in his Churchill Fellowship bid.

Shannon is the Sydney Southern Region SES Flood Rescue Officer, and won the initial scholarships to investigate the current best practice in land-based flood and swiftwater rescue.

He undertook three Rescue3 courses alongside some of the world’s most experienced swiftwater rescue operators and has partially completed a degree through the University of Lancashire- the only course of its kind. He is the only operator in the NSW SES, in fact in the Southern Hemisphere, to have undertaken the Management of Water and Flood Incident course.

 He also undertook Swiftwater Technician-advanced and Professional Practice Portfolio courses for swiftwater and flood incidents and spent time with subject matter experts from Rescue3, Fresno County Sheriff Department, Eagle One, LA County Fire Department Air Operations, LA County Lifeguard Baywatch, LA County Boat Patrol, Reno Fire Department Water Extrication Team (WET) and swiftwater and flood rescue advocate, Nancy Rigg.

“The operators I was able to train with and be trained by in the USA displayed a level of technique and skill that I am really excited to be able to bring back to not just the SES, but also Australia. I was honoured to be given the opportunity to go to the States by the NSW SES Volunteers Association as well as through the Greg Slater Memorial Scholarship with the SES.” Shannon said.

“I am looking forward to heading back to work with some of the people I have already met as well as learning new techniques and skills that will eventually benefit our communities here.”

 As a Churchill Fellow, Shannon will be investigating training and the utilisation of helicopters in flood rescues. He will be training with and interviewing:

• US Coastguard
• North Carolina Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team (HART)
• LA County Sherriff and Fire Departments
• Canadian rescue services

This research will build on the knowledge that he has brought back from the State for land-based flood rescue and increase the capability of the NSW SES to respond to flood rescues in NSW.

In order to qualify for the fellowship, Shannon had to undertake two interviews with two separate, national panels and present his research case in less than fifteen minutes.

Shannon will undertake his research within the next 12 months.