Faulkner Collision Center, GEICO, Allstate and Hurst Jaws of Life® Hosted a First Responder Education Event in Lancaster, PA, to Demonstrate How to Extricate People from Today’s Advanced Vehicles on May 30
PORT CHARLOTTE, FL (June 2, 2026) – On Saturday, May 30, some 60 first responders representing rescue units from south-central Pennsylvania put on their gear for a hands-on learning experience showing them how to rescue accident victims from late-model vehicles – life-saving skills that are critical when minutes matter most.
“They are learning how to work rollovers at one station, they are learning dash removal to get the dash off a victim’s legs at another, plus every new car has some kind of electronic in it that first responders need to learn about and stay on top of it,” said April Lausch, Collision Center Manager, Faulkner Collision Center of Lancaster.
The first responders from these units gathered at a special NABC F.R.E.E.™ education and guidance program at Faulkner Collision Center in Lancaster, PA, to help ensure drivers in the region get the best prepared response in case of an accident. A dozen cars were donated by GEICO and Allstate for the demonstrations, while Hurst Jaws of Life® provided the tools used by the instructors to teach the first responders.
“It’s quite the experience getting to watch these tools actually in action and preparing us for real incident scenes,” said Joseph Faggard from the Akron Volunteer Fire Department.
“It’s great just learning patient care, you to keep that patient really safe after the accident when you’re actually in the process of rescuing them,” said Payton Marten, who is also from the Akron Volunteer Fire Department.
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.
The National Auto Body Council® First Responder Emergency Extrication (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 7,000 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 3,750 vehicles valued at more than $67 million and provided extrication opportunities for some 7,000 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 allows NABC to expand these programs to serve those in need and help communities where we live and work.
The Changing and Saving Lives Foundation Keys for Change program also helps drive funding for key programs. The easy, efficient donation process allows vehicle owners to turn their unwanted vehicles into life-changing support. All vehicle donations fund critical programs that provide support and assistance for families in need, military members, veterans and first responders.
For more information, visit http://www.nationalautobodycouncil.org/.