More than 30 first responders from the Andover Fire Department in Kansas and surrounding areas put on their rescue gear for a hands-on demonstration of the latest techniques in emergency vehicle extrication, preparing them to provide the best response for car accident victims, all thanks to Andover Auto Body, the Andover Fire Department, Allstate, Genesis Rescue Systems and the National Auto Body Council (NABC).
The NABC First Responder Emergency Education (F.R.E.E.) education and guidance program on June 7 will help first responders ensure drivers in their area get the best prepared response in case of an accident.
Today’s vehicles are equipped with numerous airbags, advanced technology and innovative safety systems that keep drivers safer in case of an accident. But these same safety advantages make it harder for first responders to rescue those drivers and passengers. Add to that the potential challenge presented by electric and hybrid engines, and first responders need a whole new arsenal of rescue tools and procedures.
“It’s training sessions like this that allow us to learn what the car manufacturers are doing and how we can get around it,” explained Chris Matson, training captain for the Andover Fire Department.
The NABC F.R.E.E. program helps prepare local first responder teams to rescue accident victims from these late-model vehicles. The program provides education and live demonstrations on working with high-strength steel, airbags, advanced restraint systems, onboard technology and safety around alternative fuel vehicles. Since it was founded, it has provided education for more than 6,000 first responders.
Brandy Calef, who handles customer relations for Andover Auto Body, watched in amazement as the firefighters took cars apart. “Right now, they are cutting the roof off a car. They can disassemble a car in seconds.”
Andover Auto Body is an I-CAR Gold Certified repair facility. Allstate, a Level One partner in NABC, provided the vehicles for the exercise. Genesis Rescue Systems supplied the classroom education and extrication demonstration.
