Markham, Ontario — What started six years ago with a single sawzall, second-hand tools, and a series of YouTube tutorials has officially reached the world stage. Following our performance at the World Rescue Challenge in Croatia, the Markham Auto-Extrication Team (MXT) was recently honored by Mayor Scarpitti, the City Council, and the leadership of Markham Fire and Emergency Services (MFES) in a special recognition ceremony.
A Culture of Opportunity
During the ceremony, Team Captain Brad Sterling shared the journey of a team that doesn't see issues, only opportunities. This spirit was on full display in Croatia. When a scheduling lottery forced the team to compete in total darkness on the second day of scenarios, the team didn't challenge the call—they found headlamps and treated it as a unique opportunity to test their skills in a different setting.
This level of professionalism earned a personal commendation from the head assessor of the World Rescue Organisation (WRO), who noted MXT’s genuine care for every team on the field. Out of 32 of the best teams across the globe, Markham finished 16th in the world.
Building a Class Act
Our success is built on a reputation for being a "class act". Whether it was Daniel Seck waking up at dawn to interpret trauma scenarios for the French team or MXT staying late at the TERC event in New York to help clean up after every other team had left, we strive to represent Markham with pride and class.
The Engine Behind the Team
None of these achievements would be possible without the backbone of our local partnerships:
Amkus Tools: Our primary sponsor providing state-of-the-art rescue equipment.
Standard Auto Wreckers: Owner David Gold and his staff provide the training area and have donated over $100,000 worth of vehicles for us to cut up free of charge.
MFES Leadership: Chief Nearing, Chief Best, and Chief Garland have consistently moved beyond "politics" to put training and learning first, empowering the team to grow and thrive.
Giving Back to the Fire Service
The knowledge we bring home doesn't stay within our team. Our educational training videos, showcasing advanced extrication techniques, have now surpassed one million views. We are proud to give back to the entire Fire Service across the country, ensuring that the skills we learn on the world stage help save lives in our community and beyond.