CARSTAR Wicklunds Liberty, Farmers Insurance and HURST Jaws of Life Hosted a First Responder Education Event to Demonstrate How to Extricate People from Today’s Advanced Vehicles on October 18, 2023
LIBERTY, MO – November 20, 2023 — First responders from the Liberty Fire Department and surrounding areas 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 Liberty, all thanks to the CARSTAR Wicklunds Liberty, Farmers Insurance, HURST Jaws of Life and the National Auto Body Council® F.R.E.E.™ program.
CARSTAR Wicklunds Liberty located at 941 Sutton Place, Liberty, MO hosted first responders from the Liberty Fire Department and surrounding areas at a special NABC F.R.E.E.™ education and guidance program on October 18 to help ensure Liberty area 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.
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 understand how important it is for firefighters to get a chance to practice their Extrication skills on newer vehicles. This event helps bring awareness to the newer technology and stronger tinseled strength metals in vehicles today. We are proud to be able to host and even get education ourselves from the First Responder Emergency Extrication class,” Billy Wicklund, CARSTAR Wicklunds Liberty.
Farmers 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.
