FIREMEN PUT THROUGH PACES

Taupo Times, Volume 23, Issue 46, 11 June 1974, Page 7

FIREMEN PUT THROUGH PACES

Fifty-six firemen from 18 brigades in the Waikato, Bay of Plenty and central North Island spent a weekend in Taupo recently on a participation and demonstration course. Organised by the Taupo Fire Brigade, the course dealt with the rescue of people from vehicle accidents. In preparation for the main "accidents" on the Saturday night the men were put through the various rescue techniques. These included climbing steep banks, stretcher work and entering a damaged car. After close liaison with the St John Ambulance, the chief fire officer, Mr S. K. Christensen, organised two major "accidents" to occur simultaneously. The first the men knew of the accidents were when the bells rang at the station. Mr Christensen explained the position to the visitors, and said their help was needed. Mr Christensen expressed his thanks to the "patients", who were made up with artificial wounds and really played their parts well. "They moaned and groaned — many of the men didn't realise they were acting until the "patient" had been retrieved and was being treated by the St Johns people," he said. The course was well received by the men and Mr Christensen said he had been approached to run a similar exercise next year.