Joint Training Exercise Sharpens Rescue Skills

Recently our crew took part in a joint training exercise alongside Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) – including local brigades, the Heavy Rescue Tender, and High Angle Rescue Teams – as well as NZ Police Land Search and Rescue.

The scenario involved a patient who had fallen down a near-vertical set of stairs. FENZ teams were first on scene, gaining initial access and stabilising the patient, while the High Angle Rescue Team established a line and haulage system to move the patient to a safer location for extraction.

Our Westpac Rescue 3 helicopter, crewed by Captain Vasya Makhinko and Air Crew Officer Mark Cannell, inserted Critical Care Flight Paramedics Will Thompson and Rob Gemmell to the scene. FENZ then assisted with the safe descent of one clinician. Will, who had recently completed a Level 2 lines rescue course with FENZ as part of his NZ Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) training, utilised FENZ equipment and techniques to safely descend to the patient, carry out an assessment, and assist with their extraction.

After the patient was moved to a suitable location for aerial extraction, a second crew in Westpac Rescue 3, Captain Aaron Knight and Air Crew Officer Vasya Makhinko (Vasya is both an ACO and Pilot) completed multiple winch operations, safely lifting Will, Rob, and the patient in a stretcher configuration. FENZ also received a briefing on tag line operations and supported the crew throughout the winching phase.

This exercise was a great example of inter-organisation collaboration and a valuable opportunity to further develop joint capability in complex rescue environments.

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