GEICO, Farmers, CHUBB, Nationwide and Travelers Donate Vehicles and Hurst Jaws of Life Provides Tools for First Responder Education Event to Demonstrate How to Extricate People from Today’s Advanced Vehicles
RUCKERSVILLE, VA (October 21, 2024) – Nearly 80 first responders from Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina gathered last week at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for a unique education program designed to provide them life-saving rescue techniques to help save accident victims in late-model vehicles.
The event, sponsored by United Recyclers Group and Team PRP, was held on Thursday, October 16, 2024, at the IIHS Vehicle Research Center in Ruckersville, VA. IIHS
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 Education (F.R.E.E.™) program helps prepare 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.
Newer vehicles are made of high-strength materials and have numerous airbags, which can complicate rescues. High voltage batteries in electric and hybrid vehicles also require additional precautions. This training provided by the National Auto Body Council gives first responders the opportunity to practice on late-model vehicles. Vehicles are being donated to the event by auto insurers, including Geico, Farmers, CHUBB, Nationwide, and Travelers. Also taking part in providing tools, equipment and parts are the United Recyclers Group (URG) and Team PRP (Premium Recycled Parts).
Members of the media are invited to attend and observe first responders as they practice the latest extrication techniques on late model vehicles.
WHO:
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety will host approximately 70 first responders from Virginia, North Carolina and West Virginia for a special NABC® F.R.E.E.™ program.
WHAT:
The NABC® F.R.E.E.™ program provides advanced education and guidance to help first responders practice cutting techniques on advanced vehicles, addressing high-strength steel and composite materials, multiple airbags, onboard technology and changing vehicle design. The vehicles for the program were donated by along with the GEICO, Farmers, CHUBB, Nationwide, and Travelers insurance companies. First responders will undergo classroom education and hands-on extrication demonstration.
The growing popularity of high-voltage hybrid and electric vehicles and the many safety concerns surrounding these vehicles makes this program a necessity. Alternative fuel systems present different challenges when first responders arrive at the scene of an accident. Electric cars, hybrid cars and natural gas vehicles have fuel systems that pose dangers for first responders if the need arises to “cut” the vehicle for rescue.
WHERE:
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Vehicle Research Center
988 Dairy Rd.
Ruckersville, VA 22968
WHEN:
Saturday, October 16, 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. ET
Media Opportunities: Media will have an opportunity to observe the demonstration and interview first responders and program representatives following the event. For more information or to RSVP, please contact George Avery g.avery@nationalautobodycouncil.org (309) 825 7357
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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 3,300 vehicles valued at $47 million and provided extrication opportunities for some 5,500 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.
