USAA Insurance and HURST Jaws of Life Hosted a First Responder Education Event to Demonstrate How to Extricate People from Today’s Advanced Vehicles on Veterans Day, Nov. 11
LANCASTER, PA – November 14, 2013 — More than 60 first responders from the Lancaster Fire Department and surrounding areas donned their rescue gear on Veterans Day 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, all thanks to Faulkner Collision Center of Lancaster, USAA Insurance, HURST Jaws of Life and the National Auto Body Council® F.R.E.E.™ program.
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 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 appreciate our first responders and know that training on newer vehicles including electric and hybrid vehicles is so important. We are pleased to host this training and work with USAA Insurance, Hurst Jaws of Life and NABC,” said April Lausch, Collision Center Manager, Faulkner Collision Center of Lancaster.
USAA Insurance provided the vehicles, and HURST Jaws of Life 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 3,200 vehicles, provided extrication opportunities for more than 5,500 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® — collectively with its members — is committed to changing and saving lives every day. For more information, visit www.NationalautoBodyCouncil.org.
