Hamilton firefighters win North American Vehicle Rescue Challenge

HAMILTON, ON – The Hamilton Fire Department’s Auto Extrication Team places first overall in the North American Vehicle Rescue Challenge 2019, hosted by Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency in Halifax, Nova Scotia, from August 20 to 23, 2019.

As part of this competition, teams from Ontario, the Maritimes, and New York received education related to rescue from electric and hybrid-electric vehicles and competed in a series of challenges involving simulated motor vehicle collisions with live patients. Hamilton Fire’s Auto Extrication Team, which consists of active firefighters from the full-time and volunteer divisions, received seven awards in total.

This annual challenge intends to contribute to better health outcomes for patients involved in motor vehicle collisions and improved safety of first responders by enabling firefighters to learn and apply new techniques and tools to improve their department’s auto extrication and pre-hospital patient care skills.

“On behalf of the Hamilton Fire Department, congratulations to our Auto Extrication Team for their success in the North American Vehicle Rescue Challenge 2019. This recognition is a testament to the great knowledge and skills we have within our team and our department. Through continuous improvement and learning, we will continue providing residents and the Hamilton community with high quality fire prevention and protection services.” - David (Dave) R. Cunliffe, Fire Chief, Hamilton Fire Department

Quick facts

Hamilton Fire’s Auto Extrication Team received the following awards:

• 1st Place Overall
• 2nd Place Unlimited Pit (allows the use of any tool)
• 2nd Place Limited Pit (excludes the use of ‘Jaws of Life’)
• 3rd Place Rapid Pit (allows the use of any tool, but the patient must be removed in half the time)
• Top Incident Commander Award
• Top Medic Award
• Top Safety Award

Team members include:

• Captain Julian Dibiase
• Firefighter Burt Lamoureux, Incident Commander
• Firefighter Craig Thompson, Medic
• Firefighter Harold Kelly
• Firefighter Evan VanSickle
• Firefighter Cody Stewart
• Firefighter Chris Bosveld

Additional resources

• Learn more about the North American Vehicle Rescue Challenge 2019
• Learn more about the Hamilton Fire Department