April 6th - 8th 2016 saw the First French National challenge take place in the beautiful coastal city of La Rochelle. The breath-taking scenery and friendly atmosphere lend itself to what was an excellent event. The organisation and attention to detail was very notable and even more evident was the support group who ultimately where the nucleus of the event planning, management and success of a great challenge. The event comprised of ten teams, 9 from France and one International team... our very own Carlow RTC team who were guests to the event and represented Rescue Organisation Ireland at the level we have become accustom to by the Carlow team which was well received and applauded by the many spectators. The scenarios consisted of a Rapid and a complex running on alternate days of Thursday and Friday. The scenarios where challenging and had a dedicated pit crew who were well assisted by two of our APRAT colleagues. The overall event had a further International component in that the general co-ordination was assisted by our LRO colleagues who helped with the score accumulation and assessors with members of the VDFU, APRAT and LRO making up the assessor team. Initially the trauma concept was to take a learning format with workshops being the original format, however due to interest from attending teams a few actually competed in scenarios in front of an attentive crowd. The layout of the event location in the main marina and adjacent aquarium offered up an ease of access for all the public footfall passing through that particular area. The event “village” was laid out with tents and marquee’s which housed many suppliers, other organisations with vested interest in road safety and vendors of local produce. All in all, it was a well put together set up with many an interesting item or display to view or inspect.
The evenings were occupied by pre-arranged social meets ups either in the form of a get together meal or drinks reception and finger food which allowed for some networking and informal chat. Along with my fellow WRO executive members Cameron Black[UKRO] and Paul Schroeder[LRO] the hospitality and friendliness afforded to us was most welcoming. Although I was unable to stay for the event end by all accounts it was a great finish to a great event. Albeit my attendance at the event was through the WRO executive I was able to present an impromptu gift of a ROI medallion to Colonel Pascal Leprince Chief Fire Officer of Charente Maritime. With the dust now settled on a great event I look back on a great experience and reminisce on meeting new and old friends which is an integral part of these events.
As someone once correctly said [Kevin Lennon] It’s not a job it’s an adventure!!!
Declan Cassidy
ROI / WRO Treasurer
Link to French Organisation Gallery : http://www.pompiers.fr/mediatheque