Jerry’s Abra Auto Body Repair, USAA Insurance and Genesis Rescue Systems Hosted First Responder Emergency Extrication Program Responders for Education Event to Demonstrate How to Extricate People from Today’s Advanced Vehicles
Media note: Pictures from this NABC F.R.E.E.™ event can be found HERE
PORT CHARLOTTE, FL (August 14, 2024) – On August 10, nearly 30 first responders from the Mankato, MN, Fire Department and surrounding areas 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 Mankato area, all thanks to Jerry’s Abra Auto Body Repair, USAA Insurance, Genesis Rescue Systems and the National Auto Body Council® F.R.E.E.™ program.
Jerry’s Abra Auto Body Repair hosted first responders from the Mankato Fire Department and nearby departments from North Mankato, Mapleton and Minnesota Lake at a special NABC F.R.E.E.™ education and guidance program to help ensure Mankato area drivers have the best prepared response in case of an accident. The event was held at the Mapleton Fire Department training center.
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.
“My captain told me I had to learn at least one thing today. I’ve learned 10 new things, and it is only a half-hour into the event!” said first responder David Buckoff during the training session.
Mapleton fire department medical officer Abby Frengel added, “This was a well-run event. It was a great opportunity to learn new extrication techniques and I thank Jerry’s Abra Auto Body,”
The first responders went on to thank Genesis, USAA and the NABC F.R.E.E.™ program.
USAA Insurance donated four late model vehicles for the first responders to work on. An additional four came from Affordable Towing. Luther Mankato Honda provided an electric vehicle for a demonstration of the special challenges of an EV. Genesis Rescue Systems supplied the classroom education and extrication demonstration.
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 5,500 first responders.
“Being able to learn these techniques the first responders use in an emergency was eye opening!” commented Laura Kottschade, operations manager at Jerry’s Abra. “I always knew there was a great deal of teamwork that came along with being first responders, but the teamwork I saw yesterday was at a whole different level. At the shop we are at least given some grace time to be able to research and we have procedures, but first responders must lean on their training and act quickly in life-or-death situations. I’ve always respected first responders but yesterday I learned a whole new level of respect for them!”
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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 3,300 vehicles valued at $47 million and provided extrication opportunities for some 5,500 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.
