THE Redlands has two firefighters hoping to rescue their way to the top at the Australasian Road Rescue Challenge in New Zealand.
Acting Inspector at Cleveland fire station Simon Johnstone and Redland Bay senior firefighter Richard Bertossi are in the Brisbane team of five firefighters and one paramedic.
Queensland is also represented by another team from Cairns.
Acting Inspector Johnstone said the team would be up against competitors from Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Last year they came third out of 20 teams.
Acting Inspector Johnstone said the experience was valuable for all team members.
“What we learn while training, competing and working together as a team we bring back and apply in the real world,” he said.
“It also gets passed on to the other firefighters we work with.”
Acting Inspector Johnstone said the team took part in three simulated road crashes where they had 30 minutes to rescue one or two casualties.
They would be judged on their teamwork, their interaction with the casualty, their skills and technical ability in using tools and how their work with their paramedic.
Acting Inspector Johnstone will also take part in a trauma challenge with the paramedic where they are judged on how they provide first aid in a serious case such as a gunshot wound or severe laceration.