The Fire and Rescue NSW crew from Ulladulla has elevated its skills to new heights, carrying out a training mission on clifftops at Mollymook, on the state’s south coast.
The crew, led by Captain Paul Collins, had an opportunity to test out new equipment and decided to complete on-station exercises before conducting specialist Vertical Rescue training, around 40 metres above sea-level.
FRNSW Zone Commander, Mark Cavanough, said the drills allowed the firefighters a chance to familiarise themselves with the new gear, without the pressures of a real-time emergency.
“These training exercises provide the most realistic environments available,” Superintendent Cavanough, said.
“These on-call firefighters are prepared for anything, including hanging metres above the ocean, perfecting their techniques and procedures,” he added.
“It means when the real thing occurs and they’re required to reach a person in distress at height, they won’t waste valuable seconds trying to negotiate new equipment.
“They’ll work together seamlessly to get to that stranded member of the public and get them back to safety.”
