As reported by the Detroit News, GM to introduce industry’s first front-center air bag. I heard rumbles about GM being the first to market with the front seat center airbag, but I wanted to wait until it was released officially before I made a post about. So what does this mean to us? (and I used “us” because of Ray McCormack’s Facebook status, “Only you can prevent first responder“. I’m guilty of using “first responder” because extrication is not only a fire service discipline) Anyway, back to the airbags. The airbag deploys from the right side of the driver’s seat and positions itself between the front seats near the center of the vehicle. An interesting statistic in the article are far-side fatalities. These fatalities are from the occupant on the nonstruck side of the vehicle which represent 29 percent of all the belted front occupant fatalities in side impacts. These front seat center mounted airbags could help save more lives. Look for these airbags to be introduced in the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse in the 2013 model year. Stay tuned for more information!!
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So did you grab the wrong tool? Well….yes and no. Vise Grips (owned by Irwin Tools) makes a Groove Joint Pliers that look and function like the Channel Lock tongue & groove pliers. Switch the question around and ask for a pair of Vise Grips and get a pair of channel locks. What if you wanted a pair of locking pliers???

My department is currently cycling thru the annual extrication drills. The first extrication drill is geared toward the rooks, but it still can throw off a seasoned guy once in a while. The drill starts with an extrication PowerPoint and ends with everyone going out to the heavy rescue and grabbing a non-powered hand tool.
First off, I grabbed the diagonal pliers, no wait, the diagonal wire cutters, nope, the cutting pliers, sorry I meant the Diags. Nope, I grabbed the Dikes! Five different names for a simple pair of pliers! What would you call this tool???
Next another firefighter was asked what tool he was holding. The firefighter answered a “cut off saw”. What is the first image that comes to mind?
Or
Chances are the K12 did I mean the Partner Saw……or was it a cut off saw??? Now what about a reciprocating saw?
Or
The list can go on and on. Channel Locks, Vise Grips, so many tools are known by trade names, manufacturer names, and commonly used names. So if you are ever looking for a fun and easy drill to make sure everyone calls the tools by the same name give this drill a try!
Vehicle Extrication: Levels I & II: Principles And Practice provides all the critical knowledge and skills necessary for technical rescue teams to perform in these environments. You can test drive a whole chapter of the book; Chapter 8: Vehicle Stabilization for free. You can even download the the sample chapter as a pdf. I’m working on getting a copy of the book to review it on this site. The quailty of the knowledge and skill of the author goes without saying. David Sweet has written atricles for Fire Engineering and was the Lead Instructor at Firehouse Expo in Vegas. Plus the book is backed by the IAFC and NFPA.
The Complete Vehicle Extrication Technical Rescuer Level I and II Training Solution! Technical rescuers need to know how to safely and effectively operate at small and large vehicle and machinery extrication incidents. Vehicle Extrication Levels I & II: Principles and Practice provides all the critical knowledge and skills necessary for technical rescue teams to perform in these environments. Vehicle Extrication Levels I & II: Principles and Practice meets and exceeds all the job performance requirements as outlined in chapters 4, 5, and 10 from the 2008 Edition of NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications to achieve the competencies as a Level I and II Vehicle and Machinery technical rescuer. In addition, this text covers all the objectives outlined in NFPA 1670, Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents, 2009 Edition from chapters 4, 8, and 12 so that rescue organizations have the capabilities to deliver vehicle and machinery rescue successfully in their jurisdictions. Vehicle Extrication Levels I & II: Principles and Practice combines current content with dynamic features and interactive technology to better support instructors and organizations to help prepare future high performing technical rescuers. Modern technologies including alternative powered vehicles and all electric vehicles are covered. Stand-alone chapters on Commercial Vehicles and Agricultural Extrication ensure Level II skills are comprehensively addressed.
About the Author:
David Sweet has been in the Fire Rescue service since 1984. He retired in 2008 as the Division Chief of Operations for the city of North Lauderdale (FL) Fire Rescue Department, where he served 24 years and rose through the ranks of Firefighter to Division Chief; Dave Sweet currently works for the Broward Sheriff’s Office Fire Marshals Bureau (FL). He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Professional Administration; he is a FL-USAR coordinator for the Vehicle and Machinery Rescue (VMR) program at the Broward Fire Academy, and is owner/president of Pro-TEC Inc. (Professional Training and Extrication Consultants Inc.) where he offers programs on basic to advanced skills in vehicle extrication. He has coordinated several extrication competitions from local events to the 2005 International where 30 teams from all across the world competed in a week long event; in addition he has published several training articles in Fire Engineering Magazine, Carolina Fire Rescue Journal, and he has taught H.O.T. (hands on training) in vehicle extrication as the lead instructor at the Firehouse Expo in Las Vegas. He remains active in training through various teaching engagements, seminars, writing commitments, and vehicle extrication competitions.






















