CARSTAR Russom’s Collision, Allstate and GEICO Hosted First Responders for Emergency Extrication Education Event Presented by Genesis Rescue Systems on How to Extricate People from Today’s Advanced Vehicles
MEDIA NOTE: Photos and Video from the NABC Recycled Rides® presentation are available HERE
PORT CHARLOTTE, FL (August 27, 2025) – More than 20 first responders from the Kenton, Gibson County, Dyer, Milan, and Rutherford Fire Departments put on their rescue gear for a hands-on demonstration of the latest techniques in emergency vehicle extrication, preparing them to provide the best response for car accident victims in the Nashville area, all thanks to CARSTAR Russom’s, Allstate, GEICO, the Rutherford Fire Department, and the National Auto Body Council® F.R.E.E.™ program.
The Rutherford Fire Department and first responders from surrounding areas gathered at a special NABC F.R.E.E.™ education and guidance program recently to help ensure drivers in the western Tennessee area 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.
“I really appreciate CARSTAR Russom’s Collision and NABC for offering this training to us,” said Kenton Fire Chief Scott Reeves. “This was a great opportunity for the firefighters to get extrication training as part of their NABC First Responder Emergency Extrication (F.R.E.E.) program. This program provides first responders with the skills to safely extricate victims from modern vehicles, which often feature advanced safety systems and materials and is delivered at no cost to local firefighters.”
The NABC 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.
“We just wanted to give back to our community,” said Brad Russom of CARSTAR Russom’s Collision of Rutherford. “All of our local fire department members work hard and we wanted to help them prepare with the latest techniques in emergency vehicle extrication.”
CARSTAR is an I-CAR Gold Certified network and is North America’s largest Multi-Operator Network of independently owned repair facilities, offering auto body repair, paintless dent repair, storm damage repair offering 24/7 assistance. Allstate and GEICO, which are Level One partners in NABC®, provided the vehicles for the exercise. Genesis Rescue Systems, a Level Two member of the NABC®, supplied the classroom education and extrication demonstration.
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® and NABC First Responder Emergency Extrication (F.R.E.E.™).
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.