Responders practice extrication techniques during mock vehicle accident training

Written by Jeff Richards
June 26, 2022

CEDAR CITY — Several local firefighters and other first responders earned some hands-on extrication experience during a mock vehicle accident drill on a recent Saturday morning.

Firefighters and other first responders take part in a mock accident response training drill at Ladd’s Towing, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

The three-hour event was staged on June 11 at Ladd’s Towing, 4435 S. Old Highway 91 in Cedar City, just north of Kanarraville. The training session involved four separate accident scenarios, each of which included one or more stuffed life-size human dummies trapped inside a vehicle.

The responders were tasked with removing the “victims” from the cars swiftly and safely by using their tools and training. In the first scenario, a large motor home had tipped over and landed on top of a passenger car. Other scenarios involved a car that had rear-ended a semi tractor-trailer and two other vehicles that had been in rollover crashes.

“It was a great training day that allowed us to practice in realistic scenarios,” New Harmony Fire District acting chief Jim Banks told Cedar City News. “The ability to use actual cars is very important.”

During the session, some of the volunteer department’s newest members were able to practice breaking out windows and taillights, stabilizing vehicles using blocks and struts and using hydraulic tools to remove vehicle doors.

Two firefighters from Cedar City Fire Department were also in attendance, although they mostly observed and offered suggestions and insights to the New Harmony crews.

Firefighters and other first responders take part in a mock accident response training drill at Ladd’s Towing, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

“Any time we can work with another fire department like Cedar City’s, it builds teamwork and cohesiveness,” Banks said. “When serious incidents happen, like freeway collisions, we depend on each other for assistance.”

Ladd’s Towing owner Ladd Brindley said he and his employees were happy to spend the time designing and putting together the training, which was offered as a free public service to emergency responders.

Brindley says he hopes to host similar events on an annual or semiannual basis, and said that local fire departments, sheriff’s offices and police departments are welcome to contact him and offer suggestions for future training scenarios. To reach Ladd’s Towing, call 435-463-8697 or email [email protected].

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jeff Richards, a native of Salt Lake City with family roots in Panguitch, lived in Moab for 20 years before joining St. George News in 2017. Jeff is a longtime journalist and secondary school teacher. He and his wife Penny are the parents of five daughters. They also have three young grandsons. Jeff and his family enjoy swimming, camping, sightseeing, reading, and taking pictures.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @stgnews@moabjeff@stgnewssports

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