Fire Crews often talk about ‘extricating’ casualties at road traffic collisions, but do people really understand what is involved in an extrication at the scene of a serious road crash?

On Saturday 5th July, ahead of the World Rescue Wales 2008, Firefighters in the Newport, Bridgend, Cardiff and Merthyr demonstrated exactly what is involved in removing casualties from crashed vehicles. Firefighters regularly need to extricate people who may have suffered horrific, life threatening injuries from their vehicles safely, quickly and without causing additional trauma, pain or stress in tense conditions.

Firefighters also handed out flyers to promote the  World Rescue Wales competition (10th – 12th July) at Cardiff International Arena and Out Of the Blue Emergency Services and Community Safety open day at Bute Park, Cardiff, July 12th.

In Newport, Monmouth Firefighter Sam Harding also demonstrated the skills and fitness levels needed for his entry into the UK’s Fittest Firefighter competition. This takes place on Friday 11th and Saturday 12th July at the Cardiff International Arena, free for the public to come and watch. Firefighters from across the UK will be taking on one another in firefighter-related fitness challenges whilst wearing breathing apparatus and fire kit.

With free entry to both events this weekend, the public can expect to see hundreds of highly skilled firefighters from all over the world using their rescue training and experience to compete for the title of ‘Best Extrication Team’ at the CIA.

Event Organiser, Area Manager Steve Martin said, “We’re keen to let people know about these events in Cardiff, as it will be a very worthwhile the trip into the capital. Both at the arena and at Bute Park, there will be plenty to see and do, and last weekend we were hoping to drum up interest in Newport, Cardiff, Merthyr and Bridgend.”

On Saturday July 12th, Out of the Blue is the spectacular public event which offers free fun for all ages. South Wales Fire and Rescue Service has organised the event and worked with many its partners from all over the UK including other Fire and Rescue Services, Police Forces and national organisations both public and private. There will be entertainment, emergency services displays including fire dogs, police dogs and horses, chip pan fires, coastguards and road safety simulator.

More information on both events can be found the events section of this website.