Tim’s Body Worx Auto Body and Collision Repair, Farmers Insurance, Nationwide Insurance and Genesis Rescue Systems Hosted First Responders for Education Event to Demonstrate How to Extricate People from Today’s Advanced Vehicles
GUTHRIE, OK – More than 40 first responders from the Guthrie and surrounding area donned their rescue gear today 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 Guthrie, all thanks to the Tim’s Body Worx, Farmers Insurance, Nationwide Insurance, Genesis Rescue Systems, and the National Auto Body Council® F.R.E.E.™ program.
Tim’s Body Worx in Guthrie hosted first responders from the city of Guthrie and surrounding areas at a special NABC F.R.E.E.™ education and guidance program on March 25 to help ensure Guthrie drivers have 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 challenging presented by electric and hybrid engines, and first responders need a whole new arsenal of rescue tools and procedures.
“Having the opportunity to use the extrication tools was very valuable for me,” said TBD, a new first responder “This is a lot different than watching videos.”
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.
“We work on late model cars every day and train for that,” said TBD from Tim’s Body Worx. “But first responders don’t often have that same opportunity. The ability to host an event where First Responder’s could cut late model cars allows us to give back to our local fire departments who are saving lives.”
Farmers Insurance and Nationwide Insurance provided the vehicles, and Genesis Rescue Systems 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.
