Sept. 17, 2015—On Sept. 9 and 10, 70 first responders from the Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn., area participated in the National Auto Body Council’s (NABC) First Responder Emergency Extrication (FREE) event hosted by Twin Cities-based LaMettry’s Collision.

LaMettry’s events are part of a cross-country series of FREE campaigns in September through the National Auto Body Council (NABC).

The two-night event was designed to help save critical time when extricating victims in accidents involving complex, late model vehicles.

The events were held on Sept. 9 at LaMettry’s Collision in Lakeville, Minn. and Sept. 10 at EP Auto, Tire & Glass in Eden Prairie, Minn.

“I benefited the most from being able to pull things apart first hand, and see where the airbags are and where good cut points are,” said Asaa Just, firefighter for the Farmington Fire Department. “The event was fun and very informative especially on how to work with and disengage hybrid systems.”

The late model vehicles used for the extrication practice session were donated by State Farm Insurance. The program was provided at no cost to the participants and included dinner and classroom instruction on the latest technologies in vehicle design and materials by a representative of Holmatro Rescue Equipment. There was also an airbag demonstration, instruction on hybrid and electric vehicle systems, an extrication demo, and small group hands-on extrication training.

“First responders require the most current vehicle information to be effective,” said Darrell Amberson, president of operations at LaMettry’s Collision. “As collision repairers, we too must understand current vehicle technologies and materials, including new substrates and electronics. We are pleased to be able to play a role in training first responders who play such a critical role to the public. We share their desire to be the best we can be thus providing maximum value to our shared communities.”