Firefighters conduct extrication training
Last week the Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Department practiced “extrication” training on three junk cars parked outside the fire house. The training took place over three days. About a dozen firefighters attended the training last Monday.
“Our goal today is to keep our department trained in the newest equipment and techniques to get people out of cars following an accident,” Fire Chief Joe Marzella said. “As the technology changes we have to adapt to those changes.”
Tom Winkler, rescue tool specialist from Municipal Emergency Services Inc., introduced himself, saying, “Our plan today is to show you some different tool technology. We’ll be inside for about an hour and then we’ll go outside and cut some cars up.
“I am the rescue tools specialist for MES,” he continued. “I spent 27 years with the city of Seminole. Once I retired I began working with MES. I’ve always found rescue tool work the most fascinating part of the job. With MES I drive around the state showing and demonstrating tools. I also sell and service Hurst Jaws of Life products.”
Hurst Jaws of Life manufactures “rescue” tools – Jaws of Life, spreaders, cutters, combi-tools, rams, power units and more.
“These are Hurst Tools but when we get outside the techniques and tactics we use with these tools will work with any tools.
“Passenger cars are becoming safer with the use of newer, stronger metals,” Winkler said. “These new metals can cause problems for us because the older equipment, spreaders and cutters, either take more time or can’t cut through them.”
There are several type of glass in today’s cars. Windshields have traditionally been made of laminated glass while side windows have traditionally been made of tempered glass. Laminated glass is two layers of glass fused together with a clear plastic glue. Tempered glass is a single layer of glass that shatters into small pieces. But this is changing.
The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 226 “ejection mitigation” mandates a phase-in period between September 1, 2013, and September 1, 201 on vehicles under 10,000 pounds. The new law replaces side window tempered glass with laminated glass. The reason for this is to reduce ejections of vehicle occupants in accidents. Some European cars have already made these changes and with the new steel and changing glass requirements firefighters will be dealing with new problems.
“Many cars are already compliant with this law. The Chevy Impala is a $30,000 car that is already compliant,” he said. “So if you haven’t had one of these yet, you will.”
Once a vehicle is stabilized, firefighters “punch” a hole in the glass to allow for the blades of the Ryhno Cutter. The Ryhno cutter looks similar to a sheet metal cutter and cuts hurricane glass, impact resistant glass and safety glass. Once the cutter is in place a complete windshield can be removed in 1-2 minutes. One Ryhno cutter costs $699.
Removing doors requires heavy duty equipment. According to Hurst Jaws of Life ,”high pressure means high performance.” The Hurst P 600 is a 10,000 psi power unit that provides mobility because of it’s light weight and battery power. “These cutters used to be tethered to the truck for its power but today we rely on battery power,” Winkler said. “We all remember the inadequacy of battery powered equipment but these new batteries keep their charge stronger and longer.”
Winkler demonstrated the “spreader” first to get the door open. Next the “cutter” was brought in to cut the door from the hinges.
“The tools we have currently simply can’t cut the new steel used in these cars,” Winkler said. “These pieces of equipment are in the $30,000 range.”
The MPIFCD tries to have extrication training two or three times a year.
“The problem is these cars are hard to come by,” Chief Marzella said. “If anyone would like to donate their scrap cars to the fire department, please call me or Deputy Chief Benjamin Mickuleit. You will receive $50 from the scrap yard and the fire department will arrange pickup.”