| On Tuesday evening, firefighters participated in an air bag rescue training exercise focused on safely lifting and stabilizing a vehicle with a simulated patient trapped beneath the front tire.
Members reviewed the proper setup and operation of the air bag system, consisting of high-pressure lifting bags, an air bottle, hoses, and a control board used to regulate inflation and deflation.
Crews then practiced the lift-and-capture process, using a lift stack of air bags to raise the vehicle while a separate capture stack of cribbing was built and adjusted to continuously support the load as it moved. Members also reinforced the use of clear, standardized commands between the rescuer directing the operation and the member operating the control board.
Regular training with specialized rescue equipment ensures our members remain proficient in vehicle lifting and stabilization techniques and prepared to operate safely and effectively during incidents involving patients trapped beneath vehicles or other heavy loads. |
