Local Memphis, TN, First Responders Learn New Rescue Skills to Help Make Memphis Drivers Safer on the Road Through National Auto Body Council® First Responder Emergency Extrication (F.R.E.E.™) Program

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Memphis Fire Department, Allstate Insurance, Farmers Insurance and Hosted First Responders for Emergency Extrication Education Event to Demonstrate How to Extricate People from Today’s Advanced Vehicles

Media note:  Additional pictures from the event can be found HERE.

Memphis, TN (October 1, 2024) More than 40 first responders from the Memphis, TN, 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 Memphis, all thanks to Memphis Fire Department, Allstate Insurance, Farmers Insurance and HURST Jaws of Life and the National Auto Body Council® F.R.E.E.™ program.

first responders participating in an NABC® F.R.E.E. program in Memphis, TN

The Memphis Fire Department in Memphis, TN,  and first responders from surrounding areas gathered at a special NABC® F.R.E.E.™ education and guidance program on October 1 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.

Tab Loftis, one of the fire commissioners for Cuba, said after the event, “The training was very informative in terms of how to handle fires and accidents in EV cars.  We don’t usually get this kind of training in rural areas.”

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.

“This training will be very beneficial to us in our daily operations,” commented Scott Sharp, Clarksville, New York fire chief.  “I want to thank the sponsors for the use of the EV cars.”

Allstate Insurance, 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 3,300 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.

Media Contact:
George Avery
g.avery@nationalautobodycouncil.org
(309) 317-9369