NSW emergency services tested their road crash rescue skills and shared tools and techniques at the State Road Crash Rescue Challenge in Dubbo over the weekend.
Coordinated by the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) and Fire and Rescue NSW, the 2025 event simulated road crash scenarios for entrapments, mass casualties, trauma response and CPR.
As part of the three-day event, a one-day symposium had a particular focus on how to safely work with and around electric vehicles during a road crash incident.
NSW SES Commissioner Mike Wassing AFSM, said the event, now in its fifth year, was vital for developing the skills of our rescuers and strengthening inter-agency partnerships.
"It is crucial that our volunteers are highly competent with advanced skills, new equipment and techniques, so that they can adapt quickly to any situation they are faced with when they are out in the field,” Commissioner Wassing said.
“Events like this not only refine the proficiencies of our volunteers and enhance our inter-agency cooperation and working relationships, but also ensure the community gets the best possible response it can when we respond together to real world emergencies.”
Fire and Rescue NSW Acting Assistant Commissioner Regional Operations, David Felton AFSM said this event ultimately meant better outcomes for the community.
"This multi-agency challenge is about making sure the NSW state road crash rescue crews have the right skills and experience when it matters most,” Assistant Commissioner Felton said.
“As the world embraces new technology like lithium-ion batteries, our people are now responding to incidents with new layers of complexity and risk.”
“The workshops will be a great opportunity for our people to develop their understanding of safety and best practice at incidents involving electric vehicles.”
"Training in a competitive environment alongside our fellow emergency services builds a better understanding of each other's roles, communications, and equipment – and will ultimately deliver better outcomes for the people we’re trying to assist in real-life situations."
NSW SES Batemans Bay Unit Commander, Kevin Shepard returned to the event this year, only this time he encouraged the female members of his unit to get involved.
“I am here to test my skills and gain even more experience, and I am very keen to support our all-female team in doing the best they can,” he said.
“It’s usually a male dominated function, and I left last year’s challenge with a goal of returning with an all-female team to inspire others to get involved.”
NSW SES Eurobodalla Deputy Local Commander, Linda Kennington is part of the first ever all -female team and said she wanted to learn as much as possible and prove to fellow members that anyone can give it a go.
“We have a strong female membership in Batemans Bay and Moruya Units, and it has been phenomenal to have four women go through our road crash rescue training together,” she said.
“I had no idea this is where I would be when I joined the NSW SES just over two years ago, but I have been learning as much as I can, and I want everyone to know that they can do it to.”
While Ms Kennington did have some trepidations about doing road crash rescue, once she started the course, she said she realised she was more than capable.
“Some of the tools are very heavy, but you help each other out because everyone is so supportive and there to get the best outcome,” she said.
“The hesitation of climbing into cars is slowly disappearing too. If you fail, try again another time. We are trying to show that no matter where you are in life you can go for it.”
There are teams from NSW SES, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service, NSW Police, Endeavor Energy and VRA Rescue NSW competing at this year’s event in Dubbo from May 2 to 4.
Results:
Results from the 2025 Road Crash Rescue Challenge are in, with teams finding out their placings on Tuesday night after evaluation of the 3-day event was completed.
If you would like to organise interviews with your local NSW SES teams involved, please contact NSW SES media on 1800 067 234 or at media@ses.nsw.gov.au
Media enquiries: NSW SES Media on 1800 067 234