Cid Media Services

Great scenario and a great team to document. Grateful to have had the opportunity to capture Rescue Great Day with Nectar Rescue. Thank you Yates Gear for the support!

The citizens of Cleveland may never see the training that takes place behind the scenes, but they benefit from it every day.

Recently, three members of the Cleveland Division of Fire traveled to Seville, Spain, to represent Cleveland as part of Nectar Rescue Co. in Rescue Great Day Seville 2026, an international technical rescue competition featuring 40 teams from around the world.

Cleveland firefighters Brendan McNamara (Team Lead), Andy Hartnett, and Sarah Kruger joined rescuers from Parma Fire, Rochester Fire in New York, and Ceuta, Spain, to tackle complex rope and high-angle rescue scenarios designed to test leadership, communication, technical skills, and problem-solving under pressure.

A special recognition goes to Brendan McNamara, who served as team lead. Leading a team composed of firefighters and rescuers from different departments, states, countries, and experience levels, Brendan successfully brought people together around a common mission. His leadership, communication, and ability to build trust helped transform a group of individuals into an effective team capable of performing in a challenging international environment. His Spanish language skills also strengthened team coordination and helped foster relationships throughout the event.

While Rescue Great Day is a competition, the real value extends far beyond rankings. Participants are exposed to new techniques, international best practices, and realistic rescue problems that challenge teams to adapt and perform in demanding situations.

The event also provided an opportunity for firefighters from different departments, states, and countries to share knowledge, compare rescue techniques, and build professional relationships that will continue long after the competition ended. The lessons learned in Seville will be brought back to Cleveland and incorporated into future training, helping ensure our members are prepared for the most challenging emergencies they may face.

This opportunity grew from international rescue relationships established during a previous competition in Chile and reflects a continued commitment by Cleveland firefighters to learn, improve, and bring that knowledge home to better serve our community.

The team would also like to thank their families, sponsors, and everyone who helped make the trip possible. Events like this require a significant commitment of personal time, resources, and support behind the scenes.

Video footage courtesy of Cleveland firefighter Ed Cid and . In addition to documenting the event, Ed served as a member of the support team, providing translation assistance, technical rescue support, and helping facilitate communication throughout the competition. His contributions were instrumental to the team's success both on and off the course.

Honored to see this one shared by Yates Gear

Rescue Great Day Seville 2026 was an incredible opportunity to document some of the best rescue teams in the world.

Proud to have been there with Nectar Rescue and the VSG family.

at .great.day 2026.

A few moments captured throughout the competition featuring technical rope operations, team movement, and some of the work happening behind the scenes.

at Rescue Great Day Seville 2026 🇪🇸

Fast moving days, rope systems, long hours, and some of the best rescue teams in the world.

Incredible energy at Rescue Great Day Seville. 🇪🇸

It was a privilege to be on the lines documenting as they put their skills to the test.

​Technical rescue is all about the synergy between elite technicians and the gear they carry.

Massive thanks to , , and for keeping the world’s best rescuers moving safely.

Technical rescue athletes from around the world pushing skills, systems, and teamwork to the limit at Rescue Great Day Seville 2026.

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