George Avery, the program manager of NABC’s First Responder Emergency Extrication (FREE) program that teaches first responders to save lives, recently saved a life himself after witnessing an accident, according to the NABC.
While driving home one evening in Dallas, Texas, on his way home from an NABC board of directors meeting, he witnessed a vehicle hit a motorcyclist, pounding the rider and their bike into a barrier.
Avery “swerved into traffic” and positioned his vehicle to protect the motorist before cutting him loose from his helmet, which was causing him to choke.
Avery remained with the injured man until help arrived. The individual suffered “a broken hip and shoulder and other injuries,” but survived the incident.
As someone who helps train first responders through the F.R.E.E. program, Avery had knowledge of what to do in such an accident. The program helps first responders and firefighters to know what actions to take in accidents, focusing on those involving “late model vehicles with lighter weight, high strength steels, sophisticated electronics and multiple airbag systems.” The program provides practice situations with materials donated by partners.
