Tragically, 2025 has already seen 147 fatal road crashes on NZ roads, which trending higher than this time last year - and who is first on the scene in many areas of the country? Our firefighters are.

Firefighters today do far more than put water on fire. They now respond to as many medical emergencies and road crashes as they do fires.

Along with Police and Ambulance, firefighters respond to some of the worst scenes imaginable.

The United Fire Brigades’ Association (UFBA) Road Crash Rescue Challenge supports the development of our members’ skills in these high-stress and life-threatening situations.

The challenge is treated with the seriousness and professionalism of real-life and death scenarios while providing a realistic simulation in a controlled and safe environment.

Imagine a scene where a car has flipped over onto its roof, wedged against a dangerously leaning pole. The driver lies suspended, unconscious and bleeding. In the dim light it’s hard to know whether there are fractures, cuts or worse. Shattered glass litters the road.

Everyday, our members from over 600 paid and volunteer fire brigades across Aotearoa must make precise and difficult calls in these situations, deciding on the safest, most efficient way to extricate a patient, while a life literally hangs in the balance.

From Thursday 12 to Saturday 14 June, over 110 firefighters from all across the country will gather in Feilding at the UFBA Road Crash Rescue Challenge to take part in complex, timed rescues - working in teams to remove live ‘patients’ from multiple crash scenes using real vehicles, real tools and real pressure.

It’s raw, intensely visual, and an exciting test of firefighters’ critical life-saving skills and teamwork that demonstrates the mental and physical demands of real-life patient extraction in serious car crashes or medical situations.

The UFBA Road Crash Rescue Challenge is supported by Fire and Emergency New Zealand and AA Insurance who have supplied all the wrecked vehicles used in the simulations - meaning that damaged vehicles are re-purposed for good.

This event is open to the public; it’s a great opportunity for a close-up experience of what firefighters do.

Location: Manfeild Park Stadium, 59 South Street, Feilding Date/Times: Thursday 12 June: 12pm to 5pm Friday 13 June: 9.30am to 5pm Saturday 14 June: 9am to 2pm

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