FireFighterNation

One factor that should be considered in any decision-making process related to how best to extricate a patient is the presence of high-side glass, which refers to any door or window glass on the elevated side of a side-resting vehicle. Here, Les Baker offers tips for how to best mitigate a situation where high-side glass poses a threat to patients and/or first responders.

On the rescue scene, sometimes minutes, even seconds, can mean the difference between life and death. Assistant Chief Tim Littlefield describes one way to save time on the rescue scene: by using the Smart Power Systems’ Liberator hydraulic generator. The tool not only provides power, it also includes a directly connected, two-stage rescue tool pump that can power up tools while en route to the scene.

The extrication scene can be a dangerous place, and to successfully extricate victims without causing additional harm, we must have partners who support our mission. Here, Todd Meyer addresses all the different groups, from the company officers to the sales reps, who need to do their part in order to ensure our extrication operations are as effective as possible.

It’s important for first responders to train on less frequently employed tactics so they don’t find themselves unable to access a patient when every second counts. In this installment of In-Depth Extrication, Les Baker focuses on a controlled roll that may potentially be used to mitigate 1) a side-resting vehicle with a patient entrapped on the low side or 2) path of egress concerns when the roof of a side-resting vehicle is against an immovable object.

Severing posts is critical, but responders must remember to not shirk their remaining roof-removal duties. Here, Les Baker addresses two key questions related to this topic: 1) Which post should be identified as the post to sever last when completing a partial or complete roof removal? and 2) What steps do you take to successfully remove the roof?