East Brandywine Fire Company Revisits Vehicle Rescue

On the evening of Wednesday, January 4th, East Brandywine Fire Company officers and members convened for weekly training night. The topic of the evening was Vehicle Rescue Operations. Prior to going outside to practice techniques and skills, crew members and officers alike went over the basics and key elements of operating the hydraulic tools as well as the small handheld tools.

On the first vehicle crews demonstrated, step by step, the different techniques that can be utilized during a rescue operation. A very systematic process has to be followed when removing a trapped patient from a vehicle.

On the second vehicle, a victim was placed inside. The crews split into teams; one team on the passenger side and one on the driver side. Each team was responsible for stabilizing their side of the vehicle. Once the vehicle was stabilized, crews covered the patient inside with a blanket to keep them safe from debris. After the patient was secured, crews removed the windshield and other glass. Then, the roof and doors were removed to allow easy access to the patient. The dash of the car needed to be lifted to allow the patients legs to be free to move. Once this was complete, crews removed the back of the seat where the patient was sitting so the patient could be boarded and taken out through the back of the vehicle.

All of the members in attendance were state certified Basic Vehicle Rescue Technicians including two members, Mike Magann and Adam Saylor who have just recently passed Basic Vehicle Rescue Technician class (48 hours of training).

East Brandywine Fire Company thanks those who have donated their old vehicles to be used for fire training purposes.