First Due Tackle Pass It On – Firefighter, Rescue & Extrication Training
I was invited to train with Sandusky (OH) firefighters. Lt. Matt Lesch saw an opportunity to review basic auto extrication techniques with a hands-on drill for his crews. Kudos to Lt. Lesch for making it happen and the firefighters that worked to perfect their trade.
We performed a few techniques that will be familiar, but they are worth passing on. One point of training was to use the equipment on the apparatus these firefighters had available. You can bring in all the fancy new equipment, but what’s reality? What’s on your rig?
A roll-over pinning scenario was set up and firefighters quickly jumped on utilizing the airbags to free the victim.
One of the challenges addressed was that not all engines have airbags on them. We discussed what other tools can be used to free this victim and then performed the lift with pry bars and then with cribbing and wedges. Remember: lift an inch, crib an inch. Two firefighters using two pry bars can make the lift to free this victim. See more on using wedges to lift here. I also demonstrated the use of a high-lift jack. Rescue is all about what is fastest and safest. The basic tools worked minutes faster than the set-up of the pneumatics.
Cutting the A post low, before the dash lift.
Using a ram to displace the dash.
Using the spreaders to displace the dash.
The scenario was an under-ride. Tunneling operations included the need to lift the roof off of the victims head in the driver's seat. Crews had difficulty using the ram for this lift, but quickly found a way to make the spreaders work..
Rip & Blitz
Pass it on!
