Classroom, Workshop & Large Group Presentation Programs

University of Extrication programs are delivered all across the United States and Canada. Some of these programs are delivered at national conferences or seminars such as Firehouse World in San Diego or at Firehouse Expo in Baltimore. Most of the University of Extrication programs however are customized programs delivered for a specific department or for one ‘Host’ department with mutual aid, neighboring departments invited in to attend and participate. Folloiwng is a list of the Rescue Programs available from the University of Extrication.

Airbag Restraint System Emergency Procedures
The Airbag program presents an overview of airbag systems including what the components are, how the supplemental restraint systems work, and what systems are currently in place in current model year vehicles. The program also explains what emergency responders should do and should not do at vehicle fire and crash scenes because of the presence of airbag systems. The program also includes a review of the first-ever airbag deployment during an extrication; the 1997 Dayton airbag incident. This program can be followed with the New Vehicle Tour & Inspection program.

The Challenges of Extrication Involving Vehicles with Advanced Steel Structures
With increasing frequency, fire departments are reporting an inability to cut through common structural areas such as the B-pillars of late model vehicles. Our normal rescue cutting tools, whether hydraulic, electric, or air-powered are stalling out. They may be essentially out-gunned by new ultra high-strength steel alloys called advanced steels. These steels such as Boron can be found in the roof pillars, roof rail, or rocker channels on a wide array of late-model vehicles.

In this presentation, Ron Moore brings the pages of his 6-part University of Extrication series on this topic to life as he explains the lessons learned from his nearly year-long research project into how rescue teams can prepare themselves to meet the challenges presented by the presence of advanced steels. Most importantly, Ron’s program will detail some new alternative extrication techniques for departments that do not have advanced steel cutting capabilities to implement when faced with an advanced steel vehicle rescue incident. These steels are here today. Is your rescue team ready for the challenge of advanced steel?

Vehicle “New Technology”
This program goes beyond the technology of airbag systems and looks at other safety features of new vehicles. Topics discussed include batteries and battery locations, pressurized strut hinge units, exotic metals, fiberglass, plastic and other new vehicle construction body materials, deployable rollbars, seatbelt pretensioners, retractable hardtop convertible roofs, rear-hinged door challenges, minivan sliding doors, and plastic fuel tanks.

New Vehicle Tour and Inspection
The Host Agency arranges for several brand new vehicles to be brought to the training site from local new car dealerships. Required is several new sedans with seat and roof airbags, a minivan with roof airbags, an SUV loaded with features, a pickup with a third or fourth door, etc. These vehicles are positioned in the parking lot in a static display so they are available for tour and inspection by the participants.

During this survey period, participants look at features of new vehicles that influence the way we do our fire, rescue, and EMS work. Airbag systems, sliding side doors, plastic body panels, batteries in weird spots all are among the many things we discuss in this module. Instructor Moore remains available to interact with participants as they walk around and study the features of these vehicles.

Vehicle Rescue “Jet Lag”
The differences between the 15 year-old Junkers we train on in the salvage yard today and the late-model vehicle that wraps around a tree tonight is your rescue jet lag. Let Ron Moore help you better prepare for unique technical rescue challenges such as when airbag supplemental restraint systems are undeployed, Boron steel, rescue techniques for forcing open jammed rear-hinged doors, working with plastic-body materials, and power sliding side doors on minivansPresentation includes video of actually cutting into roof airbag stored gas inflator modules.

Hybrid Vehicle Emergency Procedures
Emergency Procedures for Hybrid Vehicles discusses the new gasoline electric hybrid vehicles that are out there and what to do with them at an emergency scene. Toyota and Honda started it all in 2001 and now hybrid vehicles can have a 500volt DC battery. The program addresses a unique University of Extrication seven-step protocol for safely dealing with hybrid vehicles under emergency situations such as crash, fire, submersion, lockouts, etc.

Real World Rescue
This presentation is an entertaining and somewhat humorous PowerPoint slide program featuring unusual vehicle crashes that I have been to; car broke in two, SUV up the guy wires of a power pole, car into a swimming pool, etc. We talk through how you would deal with a similar incident if it were to occur in your district. Some of these you’ll find hard to believe.

Vehicle Rescue Incident Command
Based upon the Command chapter of the Vehicle Rescue & Extrication textbook written by Ron Moore, this special training program focuses exclusively on the responsibilities of commanding a vehicle rescue incident whether it is in a rural setting or in a municipal environment. Using a step-by-step formula for success as a command officer, the program explains the logical flow of events that produce an efficient and safe rescue scene. Much of this program is scenario-based using ‘first-due’ images of actual incidents to reinforce teaching points.

“Safe Parking” Working In or Near Moving Traffic
The Safe Parking module looks at the alarming trend of firefighters being struck and killed while working in or near moving traffic. Safe Parking covers Federal laws that apply to emergency traffic control, equipment that is needed, and procedures for responding personnel to follow in order to avoid being the next ‘struck-by’ statistics. Being killed while working in or near moving traffic is truly predictable and very preventable. Learn how now! Full-color videos of actual struck-by incidents from across the country are included.

Bus Rescue Overview
This classroom-type program looks at the challenges of dealing with a bus emergency; fire or crash incident. School bus vehicles are featured along with the special procedures necessary for dealing with a handicapped bus, a city transit bus, or an over-the-road charter bus. The presentation includes video footage of actual bus crashes captured with interior and exterior cameras.

Challenges of Electric Plug-In Vehicles
The Challenges of Electric Plug-In Vehicles training module presents information on electric plug-in vehicles such as the Chevrolet VOLT, Nissan Leaf, and the Mitibuishi iMEV. These vehicles can actually be plugged into an electrical outlet to recharge their new generation lithium-ion batteries. Learn the recommended protocols for dealing with this newest technology vehicle that is already on the road today.