The VICSES Orbost Unit is celebrating a significant leap in capability this month, following the successful graduation of two new road rescue specialists and the arrival of $130,000 worth of cutting-edge rescue technology.
Rachel Songailo and Matt Le Compte have officially qualified as road rescue operators after completing an exhaustive training and
assessment program.
The qualification is among the most demanding in the emergency services sector, requiring members to perform under intense pressure.
The assessment took place over two weekends in challenging hot and humid conditions.
Clad in full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including heavy-weight overalls, steel-cap boots, masks and helmets, the volunteers were tested through three complex scenarios involving vehicles with varying degrees of damage.
Under the watchful eye of assessors, the duo had to gain access to vehicle occupants to allow paramedics to perform medical evaluations before executing a precise extrication plan.
This often involved the delicate task of “removing the vehicle from around the patient” to ensure a safe exit.
The graduation coincides with the delivery of the latest innovation in rescue technology: the Holmatro Pentheon battery-operated road rescue equipment.
Valued at $130,000 and provided
by VICSES Headquarters in Melbourne, the new tools represent a major shift away from traditional hydraulic systems.
Because the equipment is battery-powered, it eliminates the need for heavy hydraulic hoses and noisy pumps at a crash site.
This creates a quieter environment, allowing for better communication between rescuers and patients, and makes the tools much easier to deploy in difficult off-road or remote terrain.
The investment is part of a statewide commitment by VICSES – the largest provider of road rescue in Victoria – to modernise units across the state.
With two new experts and world-class equipment now on hand, the Orbost community is better protected than ever.
The new tools will allow for quicker access to those involved in accidents, potentially saving vital minutes in emergency response times.
