Packexe make a SMASH at the World Rescue Challenge in Frankfurt.

Packexe Limited continued to support the Fire and Rescue Service worldwide as gold sponsor of the World Rescue Challenge in Frankfurt during October. The common bid amongst everyone involved with the event is to develop new technologies and techniques for responding to road traffic collisions (RTCs). Packexe SMASH encompasses the spirit of this event as a new innovation for glass management at RTCs.

Over the past three years, Packexe Limited has worked with operational fire fighters to trial and test their latest innovation, Packexe SMASH. The self-adhesive film holds glass, protecting both the casualty and rescue team from glass fragments and dust. The unique adhesive formula, combined with the double roller dispenser has provided an efficient and usable system for glass management. Recent tests have shown remarkable results, which re-evaluate the way glass will be managed throughout the world.

Extrication Challenges are organised worldwide as part of the Fire and Rescue Services commitment to improving skills. The mission of the World Rescue Organisation (WRO) is to invest in the future of professional rescue. The World Rescue Challenge is not simply a competition, the event is organised with the WRO as an opportunity for teams from across the world to come together and share their knowledge and experience for the greater good.

The World Rescue Challenge held in Frankfurt at the end of October this year proved to be a great platform for the launch of Packexe SMASH to an international audience. Teams from across the world were able to trial and train with Packexe SMASH at the event, while also seeing firsthand the real benefit of using the system as an aid for glass management. A number of teams, including Germany, France, Hungary and Canada, were confident to use Packexe SMASH for the first time, within their challenge scenario.

"The Packexe SMASH has proven itself as a modern, reliable, and intrical tool in modern auto extrication, allowing for safe, effective and efficient glass management leading to increased health and safety for both the entrapped victims and rescuers." 
Patric Lausch, MD.  Fire Department of Budapest, Medical Command.

"We have used Packexe SMASH for the first time in Frankfurt. We have used it in the 10 min scenario. In this scenario all windows were ok, so we used the Packexe to get first access to the patient. For us, it was very important that the patient got no more injuries due to the broken glass. Packexe allows this. We also used it to remove another window. It can be done by one person and is really great in a 10 min scenario. We also used it to save windows. We left the windows in and with Packexe we were sure that no window chips are flying around when the window breaks. The usage of Packexe is really easy, but you had to take the time to apply the film correctly to get the best result."

Bastian Schreiner, Feuerwehr Kaltenkirchen Rescue Team.

The World Rescue Challenge focuses on the sharing of skills and knowledge and discovering new technologies for application within real life scenarios. Packexe SMASH is a part of this and as such will be taken back with a number of teams, to be introduced on an operational level.

Competing teams came from across Europe, Canada, USA, Australia, South Africa, and Ghana. With a number of non competing teams arriving at the event as spectators, showing support and picking up a few tips. As overall winners of the event the UK claimed all 3 top prizes. Royal Berkshire walked away with 1st prize, with Hampshire 2nd and Bridgend, South Wales 3rd. For 'Best Technical' Hampshire won 1st prize, Missasonga, Canada 2nd and Royal Berkshire 3rd.

Watch Manager Steve Barrow the Hampshire FRS Extrication Team Manager and specialist RTC instructor for the County says:

 "Packexe Smash is a very simple and versatile glass management system, that has great benefit at road traffic collisions in respect of casualty and rescuer safety, it can also be utilised at any incident such as a forced entry, where glass needs to be made safe"

Packexe have said that they will continue to support such events with the involvement of Packexe SMASH and believe that new innovations and forward thinking are key to the progression of vehicle extrication techniques. This is an important cause and Packexe join the enthusiasm of the Fire and Rescue Service in their efforts to improve skills for use in each local community.

Packexe SMASH will be attending Intersec at The Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. 17-19 January 2010.

For further information please contact:

Abigail Hart
Marketing
Packexe® SMASH

Tel: +44 (0) 1392 438191
Email: abigail@packexesmash.com