The National Auto Body Council (NABC) will conduct its
instructional program First Responders Emergency Extrication
(FREE) at 3 p.m. Nov. 4 at SEMA. The program incorporates
classroom and hands-on instruction and is given free of
charge to local fire departments.
The Las Vegas and Henderson fire department first responders
will assist in the 90-minute demonstration and actively
participate in the event. Jim Perkins, Clark County Fire
Department retired, will serve as instructor. Vehicle
donations were provided by AAA Nevada and State Farm
Insurance.
Shops across the country are delivering FREE in their
individual communities, as NABC is putting together a
package to make it easy. “We’re working with Holmatro Rescue
Equipment and have put on training sessions across the
country that are similar to the one we are demonstrating at
SEMA,” notes 2010 FREE Chairman Michael Quinn of 911
Collision Centers. “The way it works is that body shops and
insurers team up to provide the training. In these tough
economic times budgets for this type of training are
currently being cut, making FREE even more essential in
helping local heroes save lives. We plan to double
participation next year.”
“The FREE program and Recycled Rides assist shops in
creating positive community awareness about collision
repairers,” says NABC Executive Director Chuck Sulkala.
“They exemplify the mission of NABC and it is an honor to be
associated with the individuals, industries and companies
helping to make our goals a reality.”
For more information visit www.autobodycouncil.org.
