Nottinghamshire Fire Service to host national rope rescue challenge

The United Kingdom Rescue Organisation (UKRO) National Rope Rescue Challenge will take place from Thursday 1 to Saturday 3 October and see 14 teams come together in Nottingham to test their technical rope rescue skills in a series of realistic scenarios.

The challenge is organised alongside the UKRO, and this year marks 20 years of rope rescues.

The event gives specialist rescue teams the opportunity to test their skills, learn from one another and share good practice that can be taken back to their respective fire and rescue services.

The event will begin at the National Ice Centre on Thursday 1 October, where teams will register and take part in a technical skills challenge before an opening ceremony in the afternoon.

On Friday 2 and Saturday 3 October, teams will take on eight different rope rescue scenarios across Nottingham. The scenarios have been designed to challenge teams in a range of environments and will see firefighters using specialist rope rescue equipment and techniques at some prominent locations across the city.

Group Manager at Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, Leigh Holmes, said: "We're really proud to be hosting the UKRO National Rope Rescue Challenge here in Nottinghamshire next weekend.

"This is a fantastic opportunity to bring fire and rescue services together to showcase their skills, learn from each other and ultimately take that learning back into their everyday work.

"People across Nottingham may see firefighters carrying out what look like rescue operations at a number of locations on the Friday and Saturday. We'd like to reassure everyone that these are planned scenarios as part of the competition, so there is no need to be concerned.

"We're looking forward to welcoming all 14 teams to Nottingham and wish everyone taking part the very best of luck."