Rio Hondo Truck Academy Auto Extrication

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Rio Hondo College's Fire Academy offers Auto Extrication as part of their 11-day Regional Truck Academy. Recently, firefighters had the chance to attend an eight-hour advanced auto extrication course which included new SUV's for firefighters to practice on.

The 26 new Borrego's were donated by Kia Motors America and were set up along with old technology vehicles at three extrication stations: the over/under station, the upside down station and a station with a vehicle on its side.

"We don't have a chance very often to cut on brand new cars," said Joe Aldecoa, a Fire Engineer with the Anaheim Fire Department. "It's a great opportunity to practice our skills on new vehicles."  

"One of the challenges with the new vehicles are some of the new metals that you find in new vehicles such as Boron and Martensite, and to face those challenges head-on in a controlled environment is pretty good," Aldecoa explained.

Participants were also given lectures on auto extrication techniques and hybrid, electric and fuel cell vehicles. They were also able to look at a fuel cell vehicle.

"Those are the type of informative type of lectures, type of instruction we need as first responders to operate safely when we respond to a vehicle accident involving these new vehicles," Aldecoa said.

The firefighters worked in small groups giving them a generous amount of hands-on time using Hurst and Champion rescue tools donated by L.N. Curtis & Sons.

Instructors also activated side and steering wheel airbags to show the force generated when one deploys.

Rio Hondo College will offer another Truck Academy at the end of October.

"In addition to the auto extrication training they'll be receiving a lot of hands on vertical ventilation, forcible entry, elevator rescue, to name a couple of the topics that we do over those 11 days," said Steve Chute, a Instructor with Rio Hondo College and a Firefighter with the Los Angeles County Fire Department.   

Firefighters from any fire department can attend the Truck Academy, either from California or from out of state. Depending on interest, Rio Hondo College may offer these auto extrication classes separate from the Truck Academy a couple of times a year.

For more information on Rio Hondo College's Fire Academy or to register for the upcoming Truck Academy, visit   www.riohondotruckacademy.com


Author:Barbara Brooks - FDNNTV.com