EDMOND —
It appeared to be a real-life scenario: A three-car crash with injuries. The sooner rescue personnel could extricate the victims and get them on their way to advanced medical care the better their chances of surviving.
Edmond Fire Department personnel tackled the drill as if it were real, said Fire Maj. Joe Elam. Earlier, Elam had set up the scene at the agency’s regional training facility, located near I-35 and Covell.
The Fire Department’s Technical Rescue Team consists of highly skilled rescue technicians, firefighters trained to respond to a variety of special situations including: Collapsed buildings, trench cave-ins, high angle rope rescues, swift water rescue, confined space emergencies, heavy machinery and transportation incidents, flood rescue and vehicle extrication.
Elam said the Technical Rescue Team utilizes a special trailer that includes many specialized tools for most situations that may be encountered including freeing citizens trapped in a vehicle.
The extrication process includes protecting the accident scene, patient triage and assessment, securing the vehicle to prevent unexpected movement, opening the vehicle and removing a section of the vehicle to gain access to the victim.
In life-and-death situations, seconds count, and firefighters take advantage of training to sharpen their skills, Elam said.
Tools of the trade include spreaders and cutters, vehicle stabilization tools, axes, rams, hack saws and long boards.
marks@edmondsun.com | 341-2121 ext. 108
Local News
Related Photos
-
MARK SCHLACHTENHAUFEN | THE EDMOND SUN Edmond firefighters reach the "victim" after cutting the roof away from a stablized car during a training exercise.
-
MARK SCHLACHTENHAUFEN | THE EDMOND SUN An Edmond firefighter carries a hydraulic spreader during a training exercise Tuesday.
-
MARK SCHLACHTENHAUFEN | THE EDMOND SUN Edmond firefighters remove a "victim" from a car as they hone their vehicle extrication skills Tuesday at the city's fire training facility.
-
MARK SCHLACHTENHAUFEN | THE EDMOND SUN Edmond firefighters hone their vehicle extrication skills Tuesday at the city's fire training facility.
Discussion
Firefighters hone vehicle extrication skills
- Local News
-
-
UPDATE: Tornado damages 12 homes in Edmond
Twelve homes were damaged in the Edmond area by Sunday afternoon’s tornado. Major damage impacted three of the homes while the other eight homes had minor damage, said Matt Stillwell, director of the city’s emergency communications and management.
-
City Council plans for budget increases
The Edmond City Council agreed Monday to a 6 percent budget increase for the next five fiscal years. The council met in a special budget workshop Monday morning. Fiscal Year 2014 begins July 1.
-
LIVE BLOG: Massive tornado hits south of OKC
A massive tornado touched down Monday afternoon in Moore, Okla., just south of Oklahoma City. Follow live coverage of the aftermath of the storm.
-
More than 120 from OC serve on summer missions
In the past year, Oklahoma Christian University emphasized “OC is Home” as a key theme to begin John deSteiguer’s tenure as president.
This summer, more than 120 students, staff and faculty are leaving the comforts of home to serve and spread the Gospel in around 20 countries, showing that “OC is Mission,” too.
“We are motivated and encouraged by the pure hearts for service that so many OC students have,” deSteiguer said. “We commend them, as well as our many faculty and staff who exemplify OC’s Christian mission to spread the good news and serve others.” -
FAI calling all pets for ‘Pets in the Park’
Animals now get their turn to connect with the activities at the Fine Arts Institute of Edmond with a new event, Pets in the Park, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 1 at Mitzi’s Park, 27 E. Edwards. Registration for the pet parade and art contest will begin at 10:30 a.m.
-
UPDATE: Tornado touches portions of Edmond
Roger Williams and his wife Shellie, residents in Edmond’s Thornbrooke neighborhood since 2004, were watching the weather reports Sunday as a large storm approached the city.
When they heard reports that a tornado was spotted near Broadway and 15th Street, then Broadway and 33rd Street, the couple and their son Ethan, 11, took cover in a reinforced interior closet. After they closed the door it got eerily quiet, like being in the eye of a hurricane, Roger said. As the tornado passed by, they could hear a few bangs outside.
“I was kind of scared,” Ethan said. -
SLIDESHOW: Tornado strikes I-35 area of Edmond
A violent tornado ripped trees out of the ground as it dropped into southern Edmond late Sunday afternoon along areas east and west of Interstate 35 from 15th Street to 33rd Street, according to various reports. Damage in Edmond is confirmed by the city and included blown out windows at the brand new Mercy I-35 facility that was scheduled to open later this year. Hail also peppered northwest Edmond during the violent storm event.
-
The Big One
It’s a bleak scenario. A massive earthquake along the New Madrid fault kills or injures 60,000 people in Tennessee. A quarter of a million people are homeless.
-
City plans to hire downtown consultant
Conceptual ideas about how the City of Edmond may plan for downtown development were shared this week by David Forrest with members of the business community.
The Central Edmond Urban Development Board has revisited plans made in a 1998 Downtown Master Plan through public meetings and presentations to protect the future development of Broadway. Recommendations by the group will be taken into account by future city councils. -
Feds recommend changing legal alcohol content levels
During the past 15 years alcohol contributed to a third of highway deaths prompting the government this week to recommend reducing state Blood Alcohol Content limits from .08 to .05 or lower.
- More Local News Headlines
-
RAW: Russian dash cam catches car 20 feet in the air
Couple Argues As Woman's Lover Crawls Out Window
RAW: Brad Paisley Forgets Lyrics To His Own Song
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
Justin Bieber Gets Booed
RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado
New 'Anchorman 2' Trailer, Drake Joins List of Rumored Cameos
Eva Longoria's Wardrobe Malfunction
Heat Star Dwyane Wade Surprises Coral Gables Teen At Prom
Steak n' Shake waitress scores huge tip
Singer Miguel Accidentally Lands on Fan At Billboard Music Awards
Celebs Celebrate the Rise of the Side Butt
Grizzly bear gets up close and personal with camera
Justin Bieber Gets Booed After Winning at the Billboard Awards
Tornadoes, Storms Strike Midwest
Singer forgets lyrics, makes up words to National Anthem
Who is $600M Powerball winner in Fla.?
Top 5 Plays of the Day
Sailor Surprises His Mom At Her CU Denver Graduation Ceremony
Twiggy, the Waterskiing Squirrel
