Wednesday, June 30 2010 @ 19:00 Nature: Vehicle Extrication Evolutions Address: American Legion Road @ Butter Crème Heights, Millsboro, DE 19966 On Wednesday, June 30th, forty-three (43) volunteer firefighters of the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company received 3 hours of intensive vehicle extrication training as the department continues to ameliorate its vehicle extrication activities and responsibilities. The training procedure concentrated on “real-world” extrication scenarios using junk vehicles donated by Fitzgerald Salvage & Recycling of Ellendale, Delaware. This venue for the exercise was within the fire district of Indian River on American Legion Region Road near Butter Crème Heights. Every firefighter received hands-on training using a variety of hand tools, cribbing, struts, and hydraulic equipment in scenarios that simulated real emergency situations and vehicles that were severely damaged. The training included both the stabilization of disabled vehicles and the simulated extrication of passengers. “This training continues an effort that began several years ago as the department prepares to enhance the services it provides, our fire district” said Chief Steven C. Deery, Jr. “I am especially pleased that, aside from the capital investment in new vehicle extrication equipment, we were able to add some portable cutters to our ladder truck for emergency situations. This specialized training allows the volunteer firefighter to subsequently train other members of the company on safe vehicle stabilization and patient extrication procedures. Every firefighter must learn where to cut, what to cut, what not to touch, and because there are so many features and enhanced technology in newer vehicles, some of the information is vehicle type specific.” The training costs were minimized by Fitzgerald Salvage & Recycling allowing us to use their junk vehicles from their facility which saved the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company money on both vehicles and set-up costs.