Auto Collison & Glass and GEICO Insurance Hosted First Responders for Emergency Extrication Education Event to Demonstrate How to Extricate People from Today’s Advanced Vehicles
Media Note: Additional photos from the NABC F.R.E.E. event can be found HERE.
Lancaster, NY (May 7, 2025) – More than 15 first responders from the Lancaster, NY, Fire Department and surrounding areas 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 Lancaster, thanks to Auto Collision & Glass, the Lancaster Fire Department, Genesis Rescue Systems and the National Auto Body Council® F.R.E.E.™ program.
The Lancaster Fire Department in Lancaster, NY, and first responders from surrounding areas gathered at a special NABC F.R.E.E.™ education and guidance program on May 3 to help ensure drivers in their 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.
When a first responder was asked if they found the event valuable said, “We don’t always get the chance to practice on later model cars with hard steels. One of the best parts about this event was the amount of time we spent using the extrication tools. Great opportunity!”
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 6,000 first responders.
Auto Collision & Glass and GEICO 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 3,500 vehicles valued at $51 million and provided extrication opportunities for some 6,000 First Responders in communities around the country through NABC Recycled Rides®, 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.
Media Contact:
George Avery
g.avery@nationalautobodycouncil.org
(309) 317-9369
