Raising the bar

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) is proud to announce that its Blackheart Extrication team competed, from April 28 to May 3, at the North American Vehicle Rescue Association’s (NAVRA) National Extrication and ALS Challenge and Training Symposium held at Palm Beach State College in Lake Worth, FL, securing the title of best overall, taking first place in the complex, rapid, incident command, technical, and medic scenarios categories, while winning third place in the standard scenario rescue challenge.

Hosted and held in conjunction with The Palm Beach State Invitational, during the rescue challenges, the MDFR Blackheart Extrication team participated in rigorous, real-world scenarios, testing their skills in vehicle extrication, trauma care, and incident command. 

These team-based challenges and training events are designed to promote good team dynamics, improve communication, and promote better patient care and public safety, as well as increase rescue scene proficiency, which can then be applied during real-life emergency situations.

“Our Blackhearts have raised the bar when it comes to rescue and trauma response,” said MDFR Fire Chief Raied “Ray” Jadallah. “We take great pride in their accomplishments, which stand as a powerful reflection of our steadfast dedication to providing top-notch emergency care, both in high-pressure competitions and when our community needs us most.”

Throughout the intense competition, which drew top rescue and trauma teams from the USA and Canada, the Blackheart Extrication team dominated several critical events:

• First Place Overall Extrication Team
• First Place Incident Command
• First Place Technical Scenario
• First Place Medic Scenario
• First Place Complex Scenario
• First Place Rapid Scenario
• Third Place Standard Scenario

The Blackheart Extrication team is highly skilled in Technical Rescue, Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), and Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The Blackheart Extrication team was established to enhance training in vehicle rescue, aiming to increase efficiency and save the lives of those involved in motor vehicle accidents.

The Blackheart Extrication team is composed of MDFR firefighters Brandon Post, Maggie Castro, Andrew Silverman, Casey Sticco, Nicholas Ryan, and Daniel Sanchez along with MDFR Lt. Renzo Urzola. Notably, the extrication team members are world champions and, by qualifying as a top-three team, are now able to represent MDFR, NAVRA and the U.S. at the 2025 World Rescue and Trauma Challenge to defend their world championship in Karlovac, Croatia, in September.

Keep THRIVING Blackheart Extrication team!