LIBERTY Galati team gains a podium place at National Mining & Surface Rescue Competition

A LIBERTY Galati team has achieved third place in the recent Romanian National Mining and Surface Rescue Competition. Congratulations to Catalin Rusin, Head of the Liberty Galati Rescue Station (DSSM), and teammates Lucian Anghel, Alexandru Fartanescu, Madalin Dumitru, Lucian Tase and Cristi Frunza.

The annual event is organized by INSEMEX Petroșani and the National Association of Mining and Surface Rescuers of Romania and teams were evaluated by INSEMEX specialists and other experts in the field.

The scenario of this year’s trials were particularly complex, involving the search and rescue of victims following a toxic gas accident. Exercises were of varying degrees of difficulty: some areas were smoke infested or presented difficulties in terms of access, meaning rescuers had to move horizontally on elbows and knees. As part of the test rescuers had to identify a victim, give her the correct first aid, then evacuate and safely hand her over to an ambulance team.

“This year’s participation has been a challenge from the very beginning as three out of our five team members were participating in the competition for the first time. All our rescue knowledge is gained during monthly training, in addition to our normal jobs, with the team doing extra preparation in the last week before the competition.“

Catalin Rusin, Head of the Liberty Galati Rescue Station (DSSM)

The team members who participated in the competition are part of the LIBERTY Galati’s Toxic and Explosive Environment Rescue and Intervention Station. This Station is made up of 156 authorized rescuers, from all departments, who participate in training courses covering technical aspects related to the use of breathing apparatus, how to act in case of an emergency in toxic environments, how to supervise the work in closed spaces and how to administer first aid.