News

NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) volunteers from Port Stephens are packing their bags and preparing to fly from Sydney to Luxembourg tonight to compete in the World Rescue Challenge.

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the team of eight are one of only two teams in Australia who are representing the Australasia region.

“This competition tests skills in Rescue, Extrication and Trauma challenges and will see our emergency services personnel go head-to-head with the world’s best,” Ms Cooke said.

“It’s also a chance for the team to learn, exchange ideas and bring new skills back home.”

The team will be competing against 49 others from across the world, and hopes to continue their winning streak in Luxembourg after competing in last year’s virtual World Rescue Challenge which saw them take home gold in the Rescue and silver in the Trauma.

NSW SES Commissioner Carlene York said she is excited to see the volunteers represent the SES overseas.

“The team have been working together regularly over several years with intensive training leading into each of the various challenges they have competed in,” Commissioner York said.

“Our Hunter Valley Rescue Team is a well-honed Unit and I know they will make waves in the emergency services world.”

Team Leader Tony Northbrook-Hine said he and David Douglas, Ken Douglas, Ken Hepplewhite, Jane Huebner, Tim Troon and Steve Young are looking forward to competing.

“The opportunity to be in the World Rescue Challenge is fantastic recognition for our members who volunteer their time training and serving the community through road crash rescue,” Mr Northbrook-Hine said.

“It goes to show some of the unexpected bonuses you can get from volunteering. We’re really looking forward to representing our Unit, State and nation on the world stage.”