IronwoodInfo News Magazine

Local Fire Fighters Train
For Vehicle Extrication

Ironwood - June 28, 2009

Being involved in an auto accident is certainly a bad experience. Being trapped in you car as a result of an accident is traumatic experience. Fortunately for Gogebic County residents, our local firefighters, remain well trained in life saving extrication procedures.

This weekend members of local fire departments participated in a continuing education class dedicated to vehicle extrication. The course, "Basic Vehicle Extrication" was produced by the Michigan Fire Fighter Training Council and This class was sponsored by the Gogebic County Firefigters' Training Council . The class instructor was Dan Simondson from the Sagola Volunteer Fire Department. Dan is the expert instructor on this subject for the U.P. Fire Departments.

The objectives of the class were many, including documentation of an accident scene and the extrication methods used, the importance of conducting a team debriefing. How to safely remove the roof and doors of a vehicle. The class covered the need for command at an accident scene. Dan also went over the types of traumatic events and the need for Critical Incident Stress Debriefing.

The Simondson explained the "Golden Hour/Platinum Ten. The optimal response time and need for the accident. In a rural area such as ours, it's quite a challenge to say the least. That is why the firefighters must opimize the time and effort spent on the extrication itself.

The local firefighters taking this course went through seven hours of classroom instruction. Three hours Friday night and four more hours Saturday morning took place at the Wakefield Fire Hall. Then after the classroom material was exhaustively covered the firemen went into the field to pt into practice the theory that they were just taught. Saturday the field meant a trip to Ramme's Salvage yard on South Davis Road. At the yard three vehicles were made available for the practice run. The cars were generously donated by Kellye Ramme.

The three plus hour field work required that the fire fighter's tackle several situations conjured up by Dan Simondson. The firefighters deflated tires and stabilized vehicles as would be required at an accident scene. Then the brought out the equipment including the big stuff. The hydraulic spreaders and hydraulic cutters. A variety of tools can be and are used in auto accidents. Sometimes, the situation requires going back to manual equipment as used in the "Old Days" However, its fairly obvious that when time is of the essence and a life or lives are at risk, the quick moving and powerful hydraulic and electric equipment is the way to go. Today, everyone had a opportunity to cut, pry, squish and otherwise force their way into an accident vehicle. At the same time with all this muscle in action, the brain remained the primary body organ. Fire fighters must find their way into a locked car quickly, very quickly but, the whole time must keep the vehicle occupant safe. Safe from everything including the rescue operation itself. Much of the equipment used in the field exercise was supplied by the Wakefield Volunteer Fire Department.

While many of today's classmen have had this training before, there were those doing it for the first time. The young firefighters learned that the extrication can be quick or that it can be painfully slow. They also learned just how heavy the hydraulic equipment can become when working inch by inch. Keeping a cool head in a life or death situation is what these people must do. Thanks to their desire to be the best that they can be, they continuously go through training such as this week's training class.

We have a great team of volunteer firemen here in Gogebic county. They not only respond to emergency situations, but they also spend a great deal of time away from home at these continuing educational classes. We know first hand the dedication and expertise of these men and women who sacrifice much of their personal lives so that they can stand ready to protect each of us if and when the situation arises. Our coverage of the volunteers is not only meant to be informational, but a means to express our thanks for a job well done!

Pictured above left to right: Ken Hoeft (LGVFD), Gary Pikka (WVFD), Bill Anderson (WVFD), Zack Brentar (IVFD), Bob Brentar ( IVFD), Jamie Peite (ITVFD), Ken Jacobson (IVFD), Barb Allen (IVFD), Cory Roell (Sagola) Dan Simondson (Sagola) and Jordan Notch Reller (IVFD).

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