Extrication drill keeps firefighters sharp for real emergency
By Kathryn Reed
By the time firefighters were done, it looked like a wrecking yard at the end of Lodi Avenue. Mangled vehicles littered the pavement that in winter is used by Caltrans crews as snow storage.
“It gave guys a chance to cut the doors off, roofs off and all the normal stuff we do in a good vehicle wreck to get to patients. They pushed the dash out to make room for people’s legs,” explained Tyler Jack, South Lake Tahoe firefighter.
South Shore firefighters practice extrication drills. Photos/Tyler Jack
As the department’s vehicle extrication specialist, Jack arranged for the three days of training last week for South Lake Tahoe, Lake Valley, U.S. Forest Service and CalFire crews.
The 25 vehicles provide by individuals, Emerald Bay Towing and Welcome’s Auto Body looked drivable at the beginning of the day. By the end of the exercise they were reduced to a mass of metal.
Realistic scenarios rescue personnel could encounter in the Lake Tahoe Basin were staged – including creating a rock cropping as though a vehicle had gone over Echo Summit or Emerald Bay.
An old BlueGo bus was tilted on its side for firefighters to practice rescuing large numbers of people at once.
Everyone being trained sat through a three-hour PowerPoint to learn about new vehicles and the various safety restraint systems. With airbags being in different locations, this is something rescue personnel need to understand before they are at the accident scene.
The group earned two certificates – continuing education units and a state fire marshal one that can be put toward firefighter 1 and firefighter 2 designations.
Jack is working on creating a larger training exercise next year for departments throughout California and Nevada that could involve cutting up 90 vehicles.
Way to go, Tyler! I met your mom during jury duty and she invited me to come watch during our lunch break. Afraid it was too visual for me, but I appreciate your skills if I ever need help after an accident.
The more practice all of our emergency personnel participate in, the safer everyone is. As a community member, I appreciate the exercise. I’m also thankful for their continued support of our kids as they do extrication demonstrations at the end of each school year; especially during the Every 15 Minutes program. It’s time well spent.
Reminds me of the first snow fall and the new turkeys in town finally learn how handle the slick curves.
Lisa…….The more practice all of our emergency personnel participate in the safer everyone is.
Right Lisa ,now maybe take a serious look at out city government,kinda reminds me of the things that are happening in Bell Ca………..they were looting city hall………when the last time you checked the cities balance sheets and salaries?
Maybe we need more practice at City Government?