The Arizona Vortex allows greater redirection of a rescue frame specifically used in cliff top rescues.

Training officer and vertical rescue trainer Michael Brumby said the event was part of the ongoing commitment to maintaining members’ skill levels within SES.

“We run different training scenarios throughout the year. I guess Sunday was special in the sense that we got some new equipment and needed to equip our members on how to utilise it,” he said.

“We were specifically practicing rope skills and new techniques in patient recovery using a twin rope system, which is new to the SES.

“The Arizona Vortex provides better redirection at the edge of a cliff during rescues.”

Two members from the Gloucester unit joined their Port Macquarie counterparts for the weekend training session. Two trainers from Coffs Harbour also assisted on Saturday.

The weekend’s 15 hours of training is about half the time required to complete the vertical rescue operator course.

“We have ongoing training to maintain our currency of skills,” Mr Brumby said.

“The weekend was just a really good chance for our members to play and train with a new piece of equipment.

“We now have seven members proficient in the Arizona Vortex and all up we have about 55 members in the unit.”

Port Macquarie SES will host an intake information night on February 1, 2017 at the SES headquarters on Central Road. For more information on SES go to their website or contact 6581 0150.