The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), USAA Insurance, Allstate, GEICO and HURST Jaws of Life Hosted First Responder Education Events to Demonstrate How to Extricate People from Today’s Advanced Vehicles on October 10 and 12
MEDIA NOTE: Photos from this event are available here
Ruckersville, VA (October 13, 2023) – The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) hosted first responders from Charlottesville and surrounding areas including five states on October 10 and 12 at a special NABC F.R.E.E.™ education and guidance program.
More than 100 first responders donned 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 area, all thanks to URG and Team PRP on October 10. HURST Jaws of Life and Municipal Emergency Services (MES) provided the tools and education. Allstate and GEICO participated in a second event with IIHS on October 12.
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.
“First responders from over five states came to IIHS and participated, not only in viewing a crash test, but they were cutting late-model vehicles that are donated to us by insurance partners. They will take back knowledge about how to extricate victims with the newest techniques,” said Kyle Medeiros, National Auto Body Council board member.
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 5,000 first responders.
USAA, Allstate and GEICO provided the vehicles, and HURST Jaws of Life and Municipal Emergency Services (MES) 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 3,000 vehicles, provided extrication opportunities for more than 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.
