Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service Hosts UKRO Regional Extrication and Trauma Challenge 2025

Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS) has hosted a regional competition at its Joint Police and Fire Training Centre focused on rescuing people from vehicles and providing emergency medical care.

Organised for the 14th March 2025, in partnership with the United Kingdom Rescue Organisation (UKRO), the event welcomed top firefighters from across the UK fire and rescue services, with Derbyshire firefighters among the many participating teams. 

UKRO aims to drive the national agenda on road death reduction, a crucial goal for Derbyshire. Emergency Services reported 465 road traffic collisions across the county between 2023 and 2024 resulting in fatal and serious injuries. This represents a 12% increase on the previous year and underlines the need to share best practice across the fire and rescue sector.

The DFRS Regional Extrication and Trauma Challenge 2025 provided participants an excellent opportunity to test their skills in a competitive environment, sharing best practice which can then be taken back to each fire and rescue service to ensure better outcomes for those who are involved in road traffic collisions. A number of Derbyshire fire cadets were also involved in the event, competing in some complex and challenging scenarios and learning and developing new skills.

Thanks to local business partners and sponsors, the day had a strong emphasis on education and the introduction of new equipment and vehicles. 

A group of partnership organisations provided firefighters with access to cutting-edge battery-operated rescue tools and essential thermal protection solutions, while long-standing DFRS partner, Toyota Manufacturing, generously donated a substantial number of brand-new cars. Fresh off the production line, these vehicles allowed extrication teams to train on the latest safety features, structural designs, and materials.

The event also featured a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) workshop, which was especially significant for Derbyshire, addressing a 61% increase in HGV-related road traffic accident in 2024 compared to the previous year. Haulage and vehicle recovery partners offered vehicles in order for crews to gain access to lorries for training, enabling them to learn the latest HGV extrication techniques.

East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) lent essential medical equipment for the trauma care challenges. Firefighters work closely with other emergency services, and having medical knowledge and first aid training allows them to better coordinate and support paramedics and doctors. Challenge participants were exposed to realistic emergency scenarios with support from the Casualties Union, who provided actors to play the role of casualties, all overseen by medically trained UKRO assessors.

Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service Station Manager, Kevan Townson, said: “We’d like to extend our gratitude to all sponsors and partners for their support in making the event possible. We’d also like to thank the expert assessors in attendance from UKRO who helped to maintain high standards during the challenges and provided valuable insights for improving rescue techniques and the safety of both crews and casualties.”

The challenges faced during the event offered a fantastic opportunity for participants to develop their skills in a friendly and competitive environment.

Winning teams will go on to compete in the 2026 National Rescue Challenge.  Although the Derbyshire teams didn't win any awards this year, their outstanding performance at last year's regionals has already earned them a spot in the 2025 National Rescue Challenge, taking place later this year.

Congratulating the successful teams and thanking all participants for their involvement in the DFRS hosted UKRO Regional Extrication and Trauma Challenge, Station Manager, Kevan Townson said: “While not every team took home a trophy, every one of them took away valuable learning and experiences to benefit the future of emergency service rescues and ultimately provide better outcomes for those in need.”