It was sirens, strategy, and sheer determination on display last Saturday (14 June 2025) as Red Watch High Wycombe took part in the UKRO Road Traffic Collision competition held by Surrey Fire and Rescue Service. Teams from across Fire Services throughout the country gathered for a day of pressure-packed scenarios designed to push crews beyond fast response times and to demonstrate the meticulous skill and teamwork, essential in real-life rescue situations.
Representing BFRS, our crew brought not only their years of experience in incident response but also 4 months of intensive specific training. From managing complex extrications in vehicles on four wheels, the roof and on their side, to demonstrating sharp scene control, every second counted and each move reflected the dedication they’ve put into refining their rescue techniques. This exciting training period also gave our crews the opportunity to spend time on scenarios where vehicles were either partially or full off the ground.
We are proud to share they placed sixth overall and fourth for the Command element. We are also really pleased that they placed second in the subcategory for newcomers across all areas – Command, Technical, Media and Overall.
Stu Long, Station Commander High Wycombe and Gerrards Cross, shared;
“I couldn’t be prouder of our dedicated team. Their performance this weekend was a reflection of countless hours of commitment and training – not just for the competition, but for the real response to incidents in our community. To see them showcase their skills on a national platform is a huge achievement. Competitions like these don’t only allow our firefighters to find innovative ways to adapt to each unique incident they are faced with, but also share best practices with Fire Services nationally so we can continue to make a difference in our community.”
The competition wasn’t just about trophies or times. It was about raising the bar, sharing knowledge and celebrating best practices across Fire Services throughout the country. We are pleased to take away new techniques for stabilisation as well as using alternative equipment in new ways efficiently, so we can be at our best when our community may need us.
We’d like to thank colleagues at South Central Ambulance Service and Thames Valley Air Ambulance for assisting us with our months of training. Their input and advice were truly invaluable, giving extra insight and support to this training.
If you’d like to find out more about this competition, click this link – Surrey FRS Regional Extrication Challenge 2025 – UNITED KINGDOM RESCUE ORGANISATION
