Essex Fire Crew Crowned UK’s Top ‘Extrication Team’
It’s official – Essex County Fire & Rescue Service boasts one of the UK’s sharpest extrication teams. They powered through the 2019 UK Rescue Challenge at Derbyshire Fire & Rescue’s training centre in Ripley this weekend, leaving 23 rival teams in the dust.
Intense Challenges Put Teams to the Test
The annual showdown, organised by UKRO and Derbyshire Fire & Rescue, pushed crews to their limits with staged rope rescues, water extractions, vehicle rescues, and urban search missions. Essex’s team nailed it, storming to first place in the team event.
Individual Brilliance Shines Too
Leading the charge was Kevin Mitson, Essex’s officer in charge, who clinched a brilliant third place individually. He said:
“It was a great result and reflected a great effort and hard work that the team have put in.”
“We’ve trained relentlessly, so it’s rewarding to see our skills and techniques match the judges’ expectations. These are exactly the skills we use to save lives across the county.”
