Rescue Chiefs' Talk Readiness and Mentality Under Pressure

Strategic Insights -

Rescue crews in the Orana and Central West regions of New South Wales have been facing a remarkably challenging year, with many volunteers putting in immense effort to prepare for emergencies. Team leaders like Ryan Jones, of the NSW State Emergency Service Forbes, have undergone countless hours of training to prepare for a range of rescue and supply situations. Despite the physical and mental demands of their work, these volunteers remain calm under pressure and attribute their skills to their training and teamwork.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ryan Jones, team leader of NSW State Emergency Service Forbes, has been part of SES operations in Orana and Hawkesbury for 20 years and has competed in international training meets.
  • Jones' crew is made up of volunteers with diverse professions, including city planners, vehicle mechanics, and support workers, who come together to save lives.
  • The crew trains regularly, including Wednesdays, to prepare for emergencies, and competes in competitions to improve their skills.
  • Jones attributes the crew's success to their training, teamwork, and ability to break down complex procedures into manageable pieces.
  • VRA Rescue NSW Western lead Glenn Hinton notes that the VRA team consists of volunteers from various professions and backgrounds, but many lack informal abseiling capability.
  • Hinton emphasizes the importance of cross-organisation training and familiarity to achieve the best outcomes in rescues.
  • Western VRA took first place in two competitions out of five at the 2025 Road Crash Rescue Challenge.

Statistics:

  • The 2025 Road Crash Rescue Challenge was held at Dubbo Showground.
  • Western VRA competed in five competitions and took first place in two.
  • The challenge involved releasing a dummy patient crushed under a 30-ton excavator within 30 minutes.
  • The rescue crews had 30 minutes to devise and carry out a medical and rescue operation during the challenge.
  • The vulnerabilities of rescue teams, particularly in regional NSW, lead to more extensive teamwork and training.

Sources:

  • Ryan Jones, NSW State Emergency Service Forbes team leader.
  • Glenn Hinton, VRA Rescue NSW Western lead.
  • The Daily Liberal.
  • The Road Crash Rescue Challenge.
  • SES operations in Orana and Hawkesbury.