Nottinghamshire To Host National Rope Rescue Challenge

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service is preparing to welcome fire and rescue teams from across the UK and overseas as it hosts the UKRO National Rope Rescue Challenge next weekend.

Taking place from Thursday 1 to Saturday 3 October, the three-day event will 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 United Kingdom Rescue Organisation (UKRO), and this year marks 20 years of rope rescue as a UKRO challenge discipline. 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 venues being used are:

• Crowne Plaza Hotel Car Park
• Theatre Royal
• Nottingham Trent University, City Campus
• County Hall
• Wilford Suspension Bridge
• National Justice Museum
• Notts County Football Club, Meadow Lane

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.

Members of the public should not be concerned if they see firefighters, specialist equipment or rescue activity at any of the venues on Friday or Saturday. These will be planned competition scenarios and not real-life emergencies. Where scenarios take place in areas accessible to the public, arrangements will be in place to allow the competition to run safely while minimising disruption.

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."

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service will also enter a team into the competition, alongside services including London Fire Brigade, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, West Midlands Fire Service, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and an international team from Portugal.

The challenge will conclude on Saturday evening with a Closing Ceremony and awards at Meadow Lane.