How to Set Up An Extrication Training

[johnnyreb132]

I'm going to at least attempt an extrication training session. However, I do not know who I should contact to acquire various resources. The station I'm at does have a crash truck, turnout gear, etc. so that won't be a problem. The big question is how to find a car, junkyard maybe?

 

[lightsandsirens5]

First: Are you the training officer? If not, he/she would be the one to go to. Infact I'd leave it totally up to them. If you do training not sanctiond by your dept, using the depts tools and someone gets hurt, you are the one that gets hung out to dry.


As for equipment, a local junkyard will probably donate several vehicles that have been pretty much stripped. That seems to be what happens in my area. Also, try to find a parking lot that nobody minds you getting oil 'n' stuff all over. (Spread sand/kitty litter as well.) We use a county PUD lot. Make sure you clean up everything very well, especially screws, metal shards, etc.

 

[johnnyreb132]

First: Are you the training officer? If not, he/she would be the one to go to. Infact I'd leave it totally up to them. If you do training not sanctiond by your dept, using the depts tools and someone gets hurt, you are the one that gets hung out to dry.


As for equipment, a local junkyard will probably donate several vehicles that have been pretty much stripped. That seems to be what happens in my area. Also, try to find a parking lot that nobody minds you getting oil 'n' stuff all over. (Spread sand/kitty litter as well.) We use a county PUD lot. Make sure you clean up everything very well, especially screws, metal shards, etc.

Yes I am the training officer and we have a several acre field in the back which belongs to the station we would use for the extrication itself. However, the junkyard's around here do not seem to be too friendly, at least with individuals.

 

[mycrofft]

Liability, trash and environmental concerns

1. Who will pick up all the little bits and pieces?
2. Car needs to have all fluids drained and disposed of in a legal manner. Not cheap.
3. Extrication from a real vehicle, especilly one that's smushed, is fraught with opportunities for people to get hurt, especially any volunteer "victims".

See if maybe two FD's can go together to split the costs and then approach someone, preferably who has done it before, and see what it will cost.

Lots of stuff can be simulated without cutting up a car. Get a junker, get it prepped (no fluids), and maybe crush the roof in a little or something. Pt movement and team coordination can be rehearsed. Use a fogger and not real smoke for a smokey car scenario. Just be sure you can secure the car when not in use so it isn't vandalized, used for unauthorized drills, torched, or accumulate wildlife like wasps, raccoons, spotted owls...

 

[TransportJockey]

Good luck getting cars. When I did my Carbusters (for some reason it was a pre-req for medic school) they told us that with the price of scrap metal, we were lucky to get any kind of junked car at all

 

[mycrofft]

Scrap metal is way down.

But who wants to be sued when some EMT gashes their leg or gets dropped?

 

[rescuepoppy]

Here in this area we have not had any problems getting cars to use. I finished up an extrication class two weeks ago. On this one I contacted a local junkyard and told them what I needed, they provided four cars and two school buses for us to use and also moved these vehicles to a place on their lot. I also contacted two different wrecker services that we have used as assistance on extrications asking if they would be interested in participating. They both sent people to take part in the class.
You might want to make sure that the owners of any junkyard you talk to is made aware of the fact that any vehicle used will be returned to them, and that as a sanctioned training event that all people involved will be covered by your departments workers comp. insurance. Also stress the fact that through training you are making sure that your department will be better able to handle situations they come across. And by doing this they will be able to better serve the whole community.

 

[grich242]

Try going through whoever tows cars for your local municipality if they don't operate the junkyard they probably have contacts. The company we use will deliver and pick up vehicles for us.

 

[flhtci01]

You might want to make sure that the owners of any junkyard you talk to is made aware of the fact that any vehicle used will be returned to them, and that as a sanctioned training event that all people involved will be covered by your departments workers comp. insurance. Also stress the fact that through training you are making sure that your department will be better able to handle situations they come across. And by doing this they will be able to better serve the whole community.

Let them know that you will throw in a press release that your department was able to do the training with a donation from the salvage yard. A lot of businesses will not pass up free advertising.

 

[MRE]

Good luck getting cars. When I did my Carbusters (for some reason it was a pre-req for medic school) they told us that with the price of scrap metal, we were lucky to get any kind of junked car at all

Tell them they can have the cars back when you are done, the doors and roof just might be arranged differently. Doesn't change anything for scrap purposes.

If anyone in town has a junk car or 3 sitting at the house, you could offer to dispose of it for them. Something like that could also be considered a donation for tax purposes.