Faulkner Collision Centers, NABC F.R.E.E.™ Program, Nationwide and Hurst/Jaws of Life Hosted Education Event for 80 First Responders on Extricating People from Today’s Advanced Vehicles on Saturday, September 17, 2022
LANCASTER, PA – If you’ve been in a car accident and needed assistance getting out of your vehicle, you were likely grateful for the first responder helping you to safety. Last Saturday, the National Auto Body Council recognized a first responder from Lancaster, PA, for their dedication to safe rescues and honored them as the 5,000th participant in the NABC First Responder Emergency Extrication (F.R.E.E.) program.
The National Auto Body Council® First Responder Emergency Education (F.R.E.E.™) program helps prepare local first responder teams to rescue accident victims from late-model vehicles. The program provides education and live demonstrations on working with high-strength steel, airbags, advanced restraint systems, onboard technology and safety around EV and alternative fuel vehicles.
Faulkner Collision Center of Lancaster, PA hosted some 80 first responders from Lancaster-area fire departments and rescue units at a special 5,000th NABC F.R.E.E.™ education and guidance program on Saturday, September 17, to help ensure Lancaster drivers have the best prepared response in case of an accident. Nationwide donated 10 vehicles for the program and Hurst/Jaws of Life provided the tools and instructors.
“We want to help drivers in the Lancaster, Harrisburg and Philadelphia area be safer on the road, and help ensure our local first responders get the education they need on rescuing accident victims from today’s late-model vehicles,” said April Lausch, Collision Center Manager for Faulkner Collision Centers. “We are honored to be part of the recognition of the 5,000th first responder educated in the NABC F.R.E.E.™ program. Thank you to all of our partners who helped make this possible.”
“Since we launched the NABC F.R.E.E. program in 2009, we have worked with insurers, OEMs, rental car companies, collision repair facilities, the tool providers and first responders around the country to deliver this education program in their communities,” said George Avery, program manager for the NABC F.R.E.E.™ program. “It’s an honor to recognize our 5,000th participant in this program. We’re proud to honor Jamie Keenhold, an EMT and first responder with the Bath Firefighters and Ambulance Corp., for her commitment to her community and service to the fire department.”
ABOUT THE NATIONAL AUTO BODY COUNCIL®
The National Auto Body Council® is the premier organization of collision industry partners dedicated to strategic networking opportunities that positively change lives in the communities we serve. The collaborative membership of the National Auto Body Council® has gifted nearly 3,000 vehicles, provided extrication opportunities for nearly 5,000 First Responders and is helping educate students and adult drivers in communities around the country through NABC Recycled Rides®, NABC First Responder Emergency Extrication (F.R.E.E.™) and the NABC® Drive Out Distraction program. That effort equates to a 4:1 ROI in dollar value delivered from NABC® membership dollars. The National Auto Body Council® is changing the paradigm of how the collision industry works and is viewed. For more information, visit www.NationalautoBodyCouncil.org.
