Due to the development work undertaken by the CPESS over the last two years and the successful delivery of Moldova’s inaugural Rescue Challenge, Moldova and the CPESS have been awarded Level Three Membership of the World Rescue Organisation, which is a fantastic achievement in such a relatively short period of time.

Following the first visit and successful joint delivery of aid to the Republic of Moldova’s Fire and Rescue Service (CPESS) in  2014-15 by Fire Aid members, the United Kingdom Rescue Organisation International Development Programme (UKRO IDP) and Blythswood Care have joined forces again under the Fire Aid banner to deliver training to CPESS and the Serviciul Mobil de Urgenţǎ, Reanimare şi Descarcerare (SMURD) this being the road and air medical service.

The team of UKRO IDP assessors and logistic experts headed back to Chisinau on the 26^th October  where they were joined by Dan Tugui,a medic with IGSU Romania and an International Assessor with SMURD Romania.

The Extrication assessing team delivered Rescue Challenge Concept (RCC) training to 36 frontline fire-fighters where the focus was on Extrication Command, Technical and Medical competences, whilst our Medical Assessors delivered a bespoke Trauma course to SMURD firefighters.

The IDP project team delivered Assessor and Logistic workshops to two SMURD doctors and five CPESS officers who undertook their phase 1 RTC assessing training.

The week’s training culminated with the Moldovan Inaugural National Rescue Challenge.  The Rescue Challenge included six extrication teams, each participating in a twenty minute RTC scenario whilst being assessed by UKRO assessors, against the Extrication and Medical standards stipulated by the World Rescue Organisation.

Running simultaneously the UKRO IDP and SMURD (Romania) Trauma Assessors delivered the Trauma Challenge element of the National Challenge.  During the course of the challenge six trauma scenarios took place with teams of two Moldova SMURD fire-fighters participated in a ten minute medical scenario.

Due to the development work undertaken by the CPESS over the last two years and the successful delivery of Moldova’s inaugural Rescue Challenge, Moldova and the CPESS have been awarded Level Three Membership of the World Rescue Organisation, which is a fantastic achievement in such a relatively short period of time.

The implementation of the Rescue Challenge Concept provides the CPESS with a training model of self-development and going forward ensures that the support being provided by Fire Aid members is sustainable.  The CPESS now have an international platform through the World Rescue Organisation where they can share knowledge, experience and skills with fellow rescuers from around the world while educating their fire-fighters and enhancing operational capabilities that will lead to an improved response at road traffic collisions.

Blythswood Care and the UKRO IDP would also like to take the opportunity to thank Julie Utting – EASST, Tatiana Mihailova – Automobile Club of Moldova, Irina Nanu – British Embassy Chisinau, Bruce Hoad – Operation Florian, Dr Zsolt Béres – SMURD Romania and Humberside, South Yorkshire and Scottish Fire & Rescue Services for their support during this element of the project.

For further information on UKRO IDP contact snesbit@ukro.org