Mullion and St Mawes firefighters tackle world's best at championships in USA

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service firefighters Stephen Miles and Chris Williams, who are both on call firefighters and emergency co-responders, will compete against other trauma technicians from all over the world in a bid to be world champions.

They have earned their place in this years challenge by finishing tenth overall in last years World competition, which was staged in London.

This year they have competed both regionally and nationally being placed third and sixth respectively.

The trauma challenge involves the team dealing with medical emergency scenarios and administering emergency life saving to multiple casualties in what can be quite complicated scenarios.

The team are assessed by global experts who are practising clinicians. Scoring is based around the care of the casualty concentrating on areas including the safe approach, initial assessment, primary and secondary survey, C-spine management and communication.

Chris and Stephen are part of the Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service Extrication Team, captained by Robert Martin from Camborne Community Fire Station.

The Extrication Team have worked hard this year helping to raise funds to support the trip to Florida as well as competing regionally and nationally in their part of the challenge, which involves dealing with complicated road traffic collision scenarios including command and control, casualty treatment and the removal of the casualty in a safe and timely manner.

CFRS station manager for service delivery, Richard Gibbons, said: “Fund raising for the trip has been a challenge and has only been achieved thanks to very generous support from local businesses. We all want to sincerely thank the main sponsors - Flambards, Travis Perkins (Helston Branch), Simms Scrap Metals (Camborne) and South West Ambulance Service NHS Trust. In particular the managing director of Flambards, James Hale and Pete Slinn and Julian Curnow from Travis Perkins Helston.”