Butler’s Collision Kicks Off First Responder Training

Sept. 2, 2016—Last week, Butler’s Collision in Roseville, Mich., kicked off the National Auto Body Council (NABC) fall schedule of First Responder Emergency Extrication (FREE) training sessions.

The FREE program provides local first responders instruction and hands-on extrication practice, specifically on late-model vehicles with complex airbag systems, sophisticated electronics and high-strength steels.

“We are dealing with a whole new car, high strength steel that poses a little bit of a different problem. Now we are dealing with the issue that when we cut into the car, if it catches on fire we have to worry about the battery,” says Jeff Kaczynski , one of the participating Roseville firefighters. “We worked on brand new cars with every new safety feature so we are seeing airbags in the posts and pillars, side airbags, airbags in the seats, so it poses lots of different threats out there.”

The FREE training programs are provided at no cost to the fire departments. Nearly 50 late model vehicles have been donated by State Farm and Audi of America for the upcoming Fall FREE schedule. Extrication tools and instruction are provided by Holmatro Rescue Equipment.