Hereford & Worcester Firefighters Snag Sixth Place at World Rescue Challenge 2015
From October 14-18, top firefighters from around the globe battled it out in Lisbon, Portugal, at the World Rescue Challenge 2015. The Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service’s elite trauma team showed the world what they’re made of, finishing an impressive sixth place on the global stage.
World Rescue Challenge: The Ultimate Test
The World Rescue Challenge is no ordinary contest. It speeds up the sharing of vital emergency rescue and medical techniques used to handle road traffic crashes and critical incidents. To even get there, teams must win through fierce local competitions, proving their skills against the best from their countries.
Jayne Collins and Simon Griffiths, the two-person trauma team from Hereford & Worcester, qualified by beating tough rivals at the UKRO National Trauma Competition earlier in the year. Against 67 other international rescue pros, they stood tall, showing advanced casualty care skills and quick thinking.
High-Stakes Scenarios Under Pressure
The challenge unfolded over four intense days. Jayne and Simon tackled two brutal, realistic scenarios — one involving a casualty fallen from height, the other a shooting and stabbing/" title="Stabbing" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">stabbing scene. With only 10 minutes per challenge, they expertly assessed, diagnosed, and treated their patients under pressure, demonstrating world-class expertise.
“We are so proud of our result and everything we’ve achieved,” said Firefighter Jayne Collins. “The real win is what we’ve learned. We’re now ready to push trauma care forward in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.”
“This high standard keeps us leading from the front, improving patient care, and ultimately saving lives,” she added.
Pride and Progress for Hereford & Worcester
Chief Fire Officer Mark Yates praised the team’s outstanding commitment and skill. “Jayne and Simon’s world-class performance means they’ll bring back invaluable knowledge to train our staff,” he said. “This ensures the people of Herefordshire and Worcestershire get the very best trauma care available anywhere.”
The success at the World Rescue Challenge proves that Hereford & Worcester’s firefighters are not just local heroes – they’re global lifesavers.
