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Alberta challenges techniques of extrication: TERC Canada regional event

Vehicle extrication teams took part in the Alberta Vehicle Rescue Challenge and Learning Symposium, the first one held in that province in four years, and it was a valuable tool for municipal extrication teams in utilizing their technical skills and sharing information with fellow emergency service providers.

PHOTO COURTESY DARRELL FLEMING
City of Calgary Cadets work their scenario in the Limited Pit event, watched carefully by a judge.

The event took place in Nisku, Alta., this past September, hosted by the Leduc County Fire Services and the Nisku Volunteer Firefighters Association, under the auspices of TERC Canada, the national organization that deals with transportation rescue issues, including education.

The competition component of the event saw teams involved in two scenarios, one using limited hand tools and the second, the unlimited event, using heavy hydraulic tools in addition to the hand tools.

“The Challenge provides us with an excellent opportunity to participate in a friendly yet competitive environment that promotes the sharing and learning of new rescue skills and techniques,” said Assistant Chief Darrell Fleming, the Alberta chair for TERC Canada.

Nine teams – from large urban departments to rural volunteer ones – participated in the challenge: City of Calgary Cadets, City of Camrose, Cold Lake Emergency Services, Fox Creek Fire & Rescue, Lacombe Fire & Rescue, Leduc County Fire Services-Nisku District, Parkland County Fire Services, Pembina Emergency Services and Sundre Fire Department. They were joined by the Mississauga, Ont., team that had recently won the Canadian National Challenge in Wasaga Beach, Ont., earlier this year. This team won first overall, with Cold Lake placing second and Leduc County-Nisku third.

In the Limited Pit competition, first place went to Mississauga, with second place earned by Cold Lake and third by Sundre. In the Unlimited Pit, Mississauga again took the top spot, followed by Leduc County-Nisku and Fox Creek.

The Top Medic Award was presented to Trevor Shea of Mississauga and the Top IC Award went to John Mann, also of Mississauga. The Sundre Fire Department earned the Team Spirit Award and the Calgary Cadets won the Innovation Award.

Judges from across Western Canada assessed each team’s performance and provided valuable comments to aid in improving the skills of the participating teams. John Goodman was the head judge in the limited event, assisted by Murry Bedford and Rick Wedderstrom (medical). In the unlimited event, Don Didychuk was the head judge, assisted by Greg McCelleand and Sean Fisher (medical).