Practice makes perfect

By Meg Kennedy

Bacchus Marsh SES have put their emergency skills to the test, representing Victoria in an international rescue challenge.

Members of the local SES travelled to Dubbo, NSW in late July to compete in the annual Australasian Rescue Challenge, placing third out of the six competing SES teams from Australia.

The challenge pits 21 of the best rescue teams across the Australasian area, with volunteer rescue providers and professionals across Australasia competing over a four-day period.

Bacchus Marsh SES joined forces with Bendigo to compete under the Victorian SES banner.

Challenges included rescuing seriously trapped casualties with varying levels of injuries, with no liberties for real-life simulation taken – vehicles were crushed with an excavator to simulate the worst collisions teams could see, as well as a CPR challenge and two trauma challenges.

As well as competing against others, teams also had the opportunity to trial new equipment and techniques to bring back home.

BM SES Unit Controller Bill Robson said the challenge “was a fantastic learning experience, and the team performed very well.”

“The skills learnt at challenges like this come straight back to our local response, meaning we can provide the highest level of response to our community as possible,” he said.

“We can also transfer these skills to other SES volunteers both within our Unit and other SES Units.”

Bacchus Marsh SES are set to travel to Queensland to compete in next year’s event, to be held in Toowoomba from 16–19 July 2020.