Holmatro lends support to Road Crash Rescue training sessions

VICSES members from across the state have been refining their Road Crash Rescue (RCR) skills, courtesy of workshops hosted by Netherlands-based hydraulics manufacturer Holmatro.

Representatives from the Netherlands leant their expertise to VICSES members as they undertook a range of practical, simulated rescue scenarios during sessions held at Geelong and Bangholme last week.

With an eye to improving the efficiency and precision with which they access trapped patients, more than 40 VICSES volunteers, trainers and staff attended the sessions across VICSES’ Eastern and Western regions, utilising a range of battery-powered tools already in circulation among the VICSES fleet.

Attendees used the opportunity to seek best practice for managing and using tools safely whilst availing of the expertise of the tool manufacturer, which included Holmatro’s Research and Development Lead being present on both days.

Attendees also broadened their skillset with a host of new Holmatro equipment, including lightweight handheld hydraulic spreaders.

Using prepared vehicles, a number of common on-road crash scenarios were recreated, with VICSES members tasked with gaining access to vehicles which had been hit from the side, rear and front.

As the largest provider of RCR in Australia, 104 VICSES Units across the state are accredited to respond to road crash incidents, with members regularly undergoing training designed to refresh and further develop their capability in the field.

VICSES members who attended last week’s workshops will also play a key role in sharing their learnings and skills with members of their local units, to further improve RCR knowledge and understanding across the state.

So far this year, VICSES volunteers have attended 930 Road Crash Rescues throughout the state, with five units having already attended more than 35 RCR incidents.

To find out more about VICSES’ RCR capabilities, visit www.ses.vic.gov.au/join-us/volunteer-roles/road-crash-rescue.

Quotes attributable to VICSES Operations Officer, Capability Improvement, Gerry Sheridan

“It’s important our VICSES volunteers continue to be given every opportunity to expand their capability when supporting their community.

“At VICSES we strive for the highest safety standards, and this was reaffirmed by our interactions with Holmatro.”

“VICSES volunteers are often required to respond to high stakes Road Crash Rescue situations, and these training opportunities improve our volunteers’ capability in these important scenarios considerably.”

Quotes attributable to VICSES Eastern Region Operations Officer, Lead Trainer, Jackson Evans

“These sessions were an important exercise in improving safety, confidence, and cooperation among VICSES Units.

“Holmatro’s battery-powered hydraulic tools have been an important addition to VICSES’ fleet in recent years, improving efficiency and manoeuvrability to provide better outcomes for our communities.”