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UKRO Challenge: Cardiff 2018

On 27 September, The United Kingdom Rescue Organisation (UKRO) Challenge crosses the Severn Bridge into the dragon’s lair of South Wales. Counter Terror Business previews the show

The annual event, which pushes vehicle extrication and a range of rescue disciplines to their professional pinnacle, will be proudly hosted by South Wales Fire and Rescue Service this year and staged in the beautiful setting of Cardiff Bay.

The UKRO Challenge is unrivalled for showcasing the incredible skill and commitment of global-wide emergency service personnel, replicating real-life emergency scenarios in disciplines such as: vehicle extrication; trauma care; urban search and rescue; rope rescue; and water rescue.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service are thrilled to host the three day Challenge, which will include one day of mandatory workshops supporting the highest standard of learning and development for all competing teams. In addition, the service will unveil a purpose-built Super Safety Village as a new addition to the Challenge set up, sharing awareness and risk reduction messages.

Huw Jakeway, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer, said: “We are extremely proud to host the UKRO Challenge for 2018 and look forward to welcoming participants and supporters from across the World to Cardiff Bay this September. Cardiff is the Capital City of Wales and it will provide a fantastic experience for competitors, supporters and the public to witness the exceptional rescue skills that will be on display.

“As a Service we are as passionate about learning development as we are for making South Wales a safer place, with the rescue challenges and the safety village, there will be plenty of opportunity for everyone to learn a little and leave safer! I truly hope you enjoy our warm Welsh welcome and enjoy UKRO 2018 in Cardiff.”

The event, running until 29 September at the iconic Roald Dahl Plass in Cardiff Bay, is a chance for up to 500 emergency services personnel to compete and share techniques in a challenge environment.

Elsewhere, water rescue teams will be jumping into the rapids at the International White Water Centre to showcase their SRT skills and then into the open waters of the Bay. USAR Teams will be faced with four scenarios; covering breeching and breaking, lifting and moving, shoring and technical search, with the additional of other specialist skills.
 
To coincide with the challenge, The National Fire Chiefs Council Autumn Conference will also be held in the Welsh capital, just a stone’s throw from the Challenge venue. Fire and rescue chiefs from across the country will be showing support for their teams, eager to exhibit the skills their service personnel possess.

About the venue
Roald Dahl Plass, named after the much-loved children’s author, is in the heart of Cardiff Bay and home of The Senedd (Welsh Assembly building) and prestigious performing arts venue, the Wales Millennium Centre. Surrounded by restaurants, bars and shops, this once thriving coal port, turned amphitheatre, lends itself as the perfect host for a variety of events including the UEFA Champions League Final 2017 Supporters’ Village and UKRO Challenge 2018. The outdoor venue provides a 360 degree viewing platform for supporters and spectators, allowing them to see, up-close, what their emergency services can deliver.  

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service has a long and successful history in competing at regional, national and world level; with the Bridgend Extrication Team crowned World and UK champions in 2016 and 2017. The Service, along with partners at Cardiff Council and Ford UK, look forward to welcoming teams to enjoy the hospitality of Cardiff and its people.

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