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News Uncategorized

🇬🇧🤝🇵🇹 sharing best practice internationally

This weekend, a team of UKRO Rope Rescue Assessors, led by UKRO Rope Rescue Lead Nick Croudace, had the privilege of supporting @ANSDPortugal in delivering their first national rope rescue challenge. 🇵🇹

The event marks an exciting milestone in the development of rope rescue capability and collaboration across Europe.

Congratulations to ANSD for their leadership and vision, and to all the firefighters who took part – demonstrating professionalism, teamwork, and a shared commitment to improving rescue standards.

UKRO is proud to support and share best practice internationally, advancing professional rescue to improve firefighter safety and operational effectiveness.

#UKRO #ANSD #RopeRescue #AdvancingProfessionalRescue

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News Uncategorized

South Wales Professional Development Session 2025 Completed!

The UKRO Professional Development Session was a great success! UKRO would like to thanks to everyone involved! Keep a lookout for other Professional Development Sessions across the UK.

Extrication

Trauma

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Board Updates News

Karl Edwards appointed as Trustee to the UKRO

The United Kingdom Rescue Organisation (UKRO) is delighted to welcome Karl Edwards, Director of Corporate Services at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, as a new Trustee. Karl joins the Board bringing with him a wealth of experience from both the fire & rescue and ambulance services.

Commenting on his appointment, Karl said: “I am really pleased to be joining the UKRO as the Director of Corporate Services Trustee. I look forward to drawing on my current experience as a Director with Essex County Fire & Rescue Service, alongside my long-standing operational background with the East of England Ambulance Service, to add value to the organisation.

“I am committed to working collaboratively with fellow Trustees to support UKRO in delivering its long-term strategic objectives and ensuring the organisation continues to thrive in its important mission.” 

UKRO Chair and Chief Fire Officer of Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, Dan Quin, said:

“We are thrilled to welcome Karl to the charity. His cross-sector expertise and passion for public service will be invaluable as we continue to grow and strengthen UKRO’s impact across the UK and beyond – specifically in terms of projects like EXIT, which aims to improve patient outcomes at road traffic collisions.”

Specific projects Karl will lead on include working collaboratively with UKRO partners, driving organisational improvement, maximising value for money and much more.

Karl’s appointment reflects UKRO’s ongoing commitment to excellence, innovation, and collaboration in advancing rescue capabilities and supporting emergency services professionals.

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News Regional Challenges

Success at Surrey FRS Event

Successful 2025 Regional Rescue Event held by Surrey Fire and Rescue Service and the United Kingdom Rescue Organisation

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service and the United Kingdom Rescue Organisation (UKRO) held a Regional Rescue Event on Saturday 14 June, bringing together firefighting rescue professionals from across the UKRO.

The services that took part are: East Sussex, Kent, Hampshire & Isle of Wight, Buckinghamshire, London, Essex, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Hereford & Worcester.

Dan Quin, Chair of the UKRO and Chief Fire Officer of Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, reflected on day: “Not only are these events brilliant opportunities for continual professional development for our emergency services, but they are also a good opportunity for some friendly competition and networking for us as colleagues within this industry.

“This year’s regional events can act as landmark moments for the UKRO and the services co-hosting, such as Surrey. By bringing training closer to home, we’ve empowered more teams to engage, learn and lead. We’re proud to have played a part in shaping the future of rescue standards.”

The events also showcased the latest developments from the EXIT Project, a pioneering initiative aimed at improving outcomes in road traffic collisions. Participants explored new methodologies and challenge formats that will inform future national competitions and operational standards.

UKRO extends its heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers, assessors, participants, and partner organisations who made these events possible. Look out on the UKRO FacebookX and LinkedIn pages for more events like this!

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News

CIHT Award 2025

UKRO has been named Highly Commended for the CIHT Research Award for your entry IMPACT : The Centre for Post-collision Research, Innovation and Translation – the EXIT Project!

There was a record number of entries this year and the judging process was the hardest it has ever been, so it is a great achievement.

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Competition Info National Challenges News

A change to the 2025 National Rescue Challenge

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the United Kingdom Rescue Organisation (UKRO) National Rescue Challenge will not be held at the Fire Service College as previously communicated.

We are pleased to confirm that in place of the challenge this year, the UKRO will be hosting a number of regional Continuous Professional Development (CPD) events, across a suite of Rescue Disciplines (Extrication, Trauma, Water and Rope).

These events will include the charity sharing the new principles regarding the way extrication and trauma challenges will be delivered differently in the future and the application of the EXIT project, which continues to deliver new findings to improve patient outcomes in the event of Road Traffic Collisions. The events will also be a great chance to network with more local partners.

Keep a look out on our channels for announcements of these regional CPD events within the next few months – we hope to see you there!

The UKRO would like to thank all Volunteers and participants for their continued support in the drive to enhance professional rescue. This year gives us the opportunity for you to help shape our next steps.

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News

United Kingdom Rescue Organisation appoints new Chair 

The United Kingdom Rescue Organisation (UKRO) has announced Dan Quin, Chief Fire Officer of Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, as Chair. 

The news follows the retirement of Neil Odin QFSM, Chief Fire Officer of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, who has led the charity for seven years.  

Photo of Neil Odin. the outgoing Chair of UKRO
Photo of Neil Odin. Neil steps down as the Chair of UKRO.

Neil said: “I am honoured to have served as Chair of the UKRO. We have some incredible and dedicated people who volunteer their time to this charity – aiming to enhance professional rescue together. Thank you to everyone who is part of this great team. I am especially proud of the drive to broaden the scope of education not just to those within our industry here in the UK, but also worldwide through the World Rescue Organisation. 

“Dan is an exceptional leader, and the organisation is in trusted hands as he has served as Vice-Chair for almost five years now.” 

Dan said: “I am proud to take over the reins as Chair of the UKRO, an organisation I have been a part of for 18 years. Neil leaves big shoes to fill, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank him from everyone in the UKRO. Under his expert guidance and leadership, Neil has led six National Rescue Challenges, worked closely with the Institute of Fire Engineers developing Competency Framework, National Operational Guidance and aligning closely with the National Fire Chiefs Council in relation to International Development – amongst many other achievements. He will be missed!” 

Dan, who is also the National Fire Chiefs Council’s lead for road safety and road rescue and the Deputy Chair of the World Rescue Organisation, has already led the development of a fire and rescue sector Extrication Framework, establishing professional rescue standards for every fire and rescue professional in the United Kingdom and improving community outcomes.

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News

UKRO win Royal Award

United Kingdom Rescue Organisation (UKRO) win Royal Award

UKRO receives a Prince Michael International Road Safety Award as they continue to improve post crash rescue standards.

Categories
News Regional Challenges

Announcement: Derbyshire FRS Regional Challenge 2025

Derbyshire FRS will host a new regional extrication and trauma challenge event on the Friday 14th March 2025 at Derbyshire FRS HQ, Ripley, DE5 3RS.

It will be a 2 pit extrication challenge with a maximum of 12 teams taking part.  There is a maximum of 10 team places for the Trauma Challenge.

All teams are welcome to participate or attend. Please contact Kevan Townson ktownson@derbys-fire.gov.uk to enter.

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Competition Info FOR2024 National Challenges News

Festival of Rescue 2024 Competitor Welcome Pack

The Competitor Welcome Pack has arrived!