Firefighter Without Proper Gear Butts Door During Spreader Operation

It is not a good practice to butt doors. The rescuer puts himself in a bad position when the door releases and typically has little affect on controlling it. The situation is compounded by the lack of proper PPE.

 Firefighter Struggles With Spreader Operations on Van Door

When metal begins to tear, the spreader should be repositioned or replaced with a cutter to finish the job. Keep your body positioned away from the door if it releases and avoid using your body to support a spreader.

 Spreader Pops Out and Strikes Rescuer's Helmet

Many argue this incident was unpreventable and the result was just a product of bad circumstances. Try to take provisions to avoid tool work over rescuer's head such as using a rollback as a platform, utilizing A-Frame ladders, building box cribs with walk boards, etc. Don't let bad circumstances cause serious injury.

 School Bus Crash Video

One of the common problems when dealing with school bus incidents is the number of victims with injuries ranging from minor to life threatening. This video shows the potential for injuries of passengers involved in a rollover collision.

Shock Absorbing Bumper Explosion

Although this incident occurred in a fire suppression situation, the possiblity of a rescuer being injured because of  a shock absorbing bumper during the extrication process is possible. Watch out for loaded bumpers during collisions and exploding bumpers during fire situations. Identify the hazard, notify the Incident Commander,and stay away from the front hazard area.

Inadequate Roof Flap Relief Cuts

To effectively "flap a roof" relief cuts must be made in the proper locations taking into account roof damage, SRS, cross members, patient and interior rescue positioning, etc. Also the relief cuts must completely severe the roof rails. This incident illustrates the difficulties in making low side relief cuts on a vehicle on its side and the result of inadequate relief cuts. Trouble with the roof leads to actions that may cause movement of the vehicle and a poor path of egress with size and protection issues.

Rescuer Placed in Dangerous Position 

Watch closely as the exterior rescuer operating the reciprocating saw comes dangerously close to the interior rescuer with the saw blade. Incidents such as these are preventable with constant communication between interior and exterior rescuers and situational awareness. The use of hard protection in areas where operations are close to the interior rescuers and/or the patient should be a priority.

Airbag Incident

This Dayton Ohio Incident has become one of the most notable events in the history of vehicle extrication. A chain of events led to the deployment of a passenger side aribag that struck and injured a firefighter. The incident has been well documented and illustrates the need for safe operations in combination with an ongoing risk assessment.

Inadequate PPE Exposes Rescuers to Hazards

Responder safety should be the top priority at any incident. These rescuers completed the extrication process with essentially no PPE and exposed themselves to various hazards. The poor technical aspects of this incident also led to an inappropriate path of egress.

Rescuers Complicate Roof Removal

This video shows the struggles rescuers may have by basically "flipping" a roof off of a vehicle. Complete roof removals create a huge path of egress that typically allows for in line removal of patients. When completing roof removals cut the post closest to the patient last. This ensures the roof is held off the patient until it is completely severed from the vehicle. Just before the cut is made communicate with all rescuers the direction the roof will be removed. Maintain control by ensuring all seat belts, plastic, wires, glass, etc. have been completely cut prior to attempted removal. Avoid removing the roof in a manner that makes it hard to manage.

Heavy Recovery Vehicle Procedures 

It is vital responders have some form of  procedure in place with every potential resource that could be needed at any incident, including an extrication incident. This incident illustrates the need to have procedures in place with heavy recovery companies. The overhead footage of this incident provides a great view of the passenger vehicle positioning underneath the larger vehicle. Typical lifting procedures may not be effective because the most suitable lift points of the larger vehicle are contacting and resting on the passenger vehicle. Responders did not have to lift the vehicle, but had a heavy recovery vehicle positioned and ready.