Borsella & Mastro Auto Body, Allstate, GEICO and Genesis Rescue Systems Hosted First Responder Education Event in Mt. Vernon, NY, to Demonstrate How to Extricate People from Today’s Advanced Vehicles on September 20, 2025
MEDIA NOTE: Photos and Video from the NABC Recycled Rides® presentation are available HERE
PORT CHARLOTTE, FL (September 25, 2025) – Rescue units from across the Tri-State area donned their gear at the Borsella & Mastro Auto Body in Mt. Vernon, NY, for a hands-on learning experience teaching them how to rescue accident victims from late-model vehicles – life-saving skills that are critical when minutes matter most, all thanks to Borsella & Mastro Auto Body, GEICO, Allstate, Genesis Rescue Systems and the National Auto Body Council® F.R.E.E.™ program.
The first responders from these units gathered at a special NABC F.R.E.E.™ education and guidance program on September 20 to help ensure drivers in the region get the best prepared response in case of an accident.
Today’s vehicles are equipped with numerous airbags, advanced technology and innovative safety systems that keep drivers safer in case of an accident. But these same safety advantages make it harder for first responders to rescue those drivers and passengers. Add to that the potential challenge presented by electric and hybrid engines, and first responders need a whole new arsenal of rescue tools and procedures.
“Great turnout…we went over the EV vehicle that was on hand and had excellent real-world demonstrations that will help us as we work with newer vehicles and extrication from them,” said Jeremy Hunt, Director, Long Island Sales for Hi-Tech Fire & Safety. “The group was challenged to think outside the box with different scenarios and they performed great. Thank you again to Borsella & Mastro and the NABC F.R.E.E.™ program for hosting and facilitating this event.”
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 these 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 alternative fuel vehicles. Since it was founded, it has provided education for more than 6,000 first responders.
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 more than 3,500 vehicles valued at $51 million and provided extrication opportunities for some 6,000 First Responders in communities around the country through NABC Recycled Rides®, NABC First Responder Emergency Extrication (F.R.E.E.™) and the NABC® Community Impact program.
The NABC Changing and Saving Lives Foundation, a 501c3 organization, is committed to the goal of driving change for veterans, military members, first responders and families in need, while harnessing the power of the collective membership of the collision repair industry to positively impact communities where we live and work. As demand for NABC® programs like NABC Recycled Rides® and NABC F.R.E.E.™ grows, so do the needs for resources to manage these important programs. Being able to pursue grants, gifts and donations allow NABC® to expand these programs to serve those in need and help communities where we live and work. For more information, visit www.NationalautoBodyCouncil.org.