About ARO
The Australasian Rescue Organisation (ARO) is the peak body in Australasia for the development and exchange of information, knowledge, and skills across all facets of rescue. It is a not for profit organisation that promotes best practice and independent leadership in rescue.
Road Crash Rescue
Research shows that worldwide there is one road trauma fatality every 26.9 seconds and that for every road fatality in developed countries such as Australia, there are three life-long disablements, 10 major trauma patients requiring surgery and 30 cases requiring medical care.
ARO strives to reduce this toll by improving the science and quality of road and trauma rescue services provided to casualties, directly reducing the severity of injuries.
ARO encourages its members to act independently and explore opportunities in the development of techniques, skills and innovation that may lead to better rescue outcomes. As an independent organisation, it has the capacity to broker new directions that may otherwise by restricted by government agency rules.
Water Rescue
The occurrence of water rescues has increased in recent years. ARO specialises in the development and knowledge across all facets of patient-focus rescue including Water Rescue. Through its events, activities and partnerships with domestic and international industry bodies/organisations/agencies specialising in rescue, ARO shares best practice in services and products developed by skilled and experienced rescue and trauma professionals through innovation and exploration in new technology.
Public Documents
View ARO public facing documents here.
Governance and Compliance
ARO is committed to observing the legal, regulatory and governance requirements applicable to independent associations. All members, suppliers, partners and sponsors of ARO are expected to adhere to the ARO Code of Conduct.
ARO Rules of Association – The Rules of Association govern the rights and responsibilities of the members as well as how the association will operate; it is a contract between the incorporated association and its members.
ARO Code of Conduct – Sets out expectations of how ARO members and its affiliates should behave.
Meet the team
ARO is made up of volunteers from across the industry dedicated to supporting ARO’s goals and objectives.
Executive Committee
- President – Jeremy Fewtrell AFSM
- Vice President – Brenton Charlton
- Treasurer – Peter Hammond
- Secretary – Kathryn Crofts
- Business Development and Engagement Officer – David Cockbain
- Governance and Compliance Officer – Alex Barrell
- Technical Officer Rescue – Neil Francis
- RCR Challenge Coordinator – Mick Vanderzalm
Road Crash Rescue (RCR) Technical Committee
- RCR Challenge Coordinator – Michael Vanderzalm
- RCR Command Specialist – Tony Hine
- RCR Technical Specialist – Peter Bradow
- RCR Research and Education Officer – James Boland
- RCR Trauma Challenge Coordinator – Quentin Botha
- RCR Medical Specialist – Troy Jones
Water Rescue (WR) Technical Committee
- WR Challenge Coordinator / WR Lead / Chair – TBC
- WR Command Specialist – TBC
- WR Technical Specialist – TBC
- WR Specialist – TBC
- WR Boat Specialist – TBC
- WR Medical Specialist – TBC
- WR Operational Specialist – TBC
- WR Research and Education Specialist – TBC
- WR Professional Development Coordinator – TBC