First responders in the Lincoln, NE, area recently received critical hands-on training in advanced vehicle extrication techniques, preparing them to navigate the unique challenges posed by today’s high-tech vehicles during emergency rescues.
On March 20, more than 25 firefighters and emergency personnel gathered at CARSTAR Glenn’s Auto Body for a First Responder Emergency Education (F.R.E.E.) event, hosted in partnership with the National Auto Body Council (NABC), Nebraska Farm Bureau and HURST Jaws of Life. The goal was to equip local teams with the knowledge and skills needed to safely rescue accident victims from modern vehicles that feature complex materials and advanced safety systems.
“Having an opportunity to practice extrication techniques on later model cars with hard steels is outstanding,” said one participating firefighter. “We attend a lot of training classes, but we rarely get a chance to cut late model cars. Thank you.”
Modern vehicles increasingly use high-strength steel, multiple airbag systems, advanced restraints and onboard electronics. While these systems help protect occupants during collisions, they can significantly complicate the extrication process for emergency responders. Hybrid and electric drivetrains add additional risks and require specialized handling procedures.
The NABC F.R.E.E. program is designed to address those evolving challenges. It provides training and live demonstrations to first responders on the latest vehicle construction trends and rescue best practices. Since its inception, the program has educated more than 6,000 first responders across the U.S.
The Lincoln training included both classroom instruction and real-time cutting demonstrations using HURST Jaws of Life tools on donated late-model vehicles. CARSTAR Glenn’s and the Nebraska Farm Bureau provided the vehicles used in the training.
