At our recent educational program at Perth Amboy FD our instructors utilized the Moditech Crash Recovery system on a ruggedized netbook. The crash recovery system or CRS is a software package that allows responders to locate various vehicle hazards by identifying the vehicle or scanning or entering the vehicle’s VIN number. We incorporate the CRS and Holmatro’s Rescuers Guide to Vehicle Safety systems into all of our programs. this allows responders to utilize the latest info on vehicles they can access on the street and show how it can assist them on scene.

Response to a MVC today can be a bewildering event today. Even though we respond to more MVCs than any other emergency except medical emergencies, think of what we need to evaluate, assess and begin to mitigate on scene. Over time think of how our response and the hazards we encounter has changed. The vehicle is still the dynamic hazard in the equation however think of what need to look for today. SRS systems, battery(s) and their subsequent locations, motive power, vehicle glazing are all items that we need to consider today. Add into this we need to do this size up quickly and completely to ensure an effective plan of action.
So let’s look at this from our arrival. We need to ensure our safety before we even step off so we must position our apparatus in a “fend off” manner. This vehicle positioning helps to protect us and our patients by placing the apparatus between the incident & traffic. We must then begin to evaluate the incident. Scan the area for scene hazards.
As we approach the vehicle(s), let’s take in how the vehicle appears. What orientation is the vehicle, upright, on it’s side or overturned? What kind of stabilization do we need to consider? How is the vehicle damaged? How much “crush” do you observe? This information should clue in potential entrapment & possible injuries. Do you see any deployed SRS systems? We should strive to approach the front of the vehicle to we can make visual then verbal contact with our patient(s). Once we find our patient and establish contact we should maintain it through out the incident. We have assessed the scene and located & begun to mitigate the hazards. When we are assured that the scene is safe we need to stabilize the vehicle to manage unwanted vehicle movement. This ensures a stable foundation for our space making evolutions and minimizes movement to our patient.
Once we have the vehicle stabilized we make access and begin hands on patient management. ABCs, Manual C-Spine management, C collar and O2 as indicated. Take a good look at the vehicle’s interior. Where are any SRS systems, deployed or undeployed? Damage to the interior? Any physical entrapment to our patient? We need to then secure the vehicle’s power. Ensure the vehicle is shut off and remove the vehicles keys. Remember, today’s vehicles can have proximity keys that need to be more than 15 feet from vehicle to ensure it cant be accidentally started. Then disconnect the 12v battery. However, can we find the battery?

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Even though a rally car transits on “normal” roadways and is technically a registered street
vehicle it is a highly modified race vehicle with hazards all their own. This sheet is designed as an
orientation guide to look for hazards that might be found upon arrival. There will be a variety of
classifications of vehicle depending upon 2 or 4 wheel drive, engine displacement, etc. All
vehicles will have 2 crew members, a driver and a Co-Driver (navigator) IT is critical to not
respond until instructed to do so by net control after they ensure the cars have stopped racing on
stage.

First off – Always be situationally aware!
Upon arrival, carefully observe the scene. Is the crew out of the vehicle? Are they displaying a
red cross or an OK page from their route book? Remember a crew displaying a red cross means
one or both of them are injured. Keep one person as point watching the stage from the direction
that the cars are coming from and remember they are spaced approx. 1 minute apart but that
spacing can vary.

NEXT – Secure the vehicle !
Think – WEST
-Take down Window nets / roll down Windows
- Shut down Electric system (battery)
- Secure vehicle (triangles)
- Turn off Toggle switches

Most crews, if uninjured, will have already done these tasks. Just ensure that
they have been done
Medical – Assess just like any other patient from a MVC however pay strict attention to
damage both in and outside of the vehicle. Look at the seat, the safety cage, are they damaged?
Seatbelts, damaged, frayed, stretched? Helmet & HANS device, damaged? What exterior damage
is present? What did the vehicle strike?
Firematics – Remember most of these vehicles will be running racing gasoline which will
have ethanol in it. However it is possible you will encounter rally cars with other motive power
including diesel fuel and hybrid power. Besides fuel, there are other flammable items including
vehicle construction materials, engine fluids and even suspension fluids. Be alert for flare ups
from dripping fluids onto hot turbos and exhausts.
Rescue Services – Even though these are “stock” bodied vehicles they also have a safety
cage, lexan windows and some models have ultra high strength reinforcements in their body
structure. Stabilization might be a problem depending on how and where the vehicle ends up.
The seats for the crew are structurally strong and extremely form fitting with side wings and
bolstering that might need to be removed. Might need to assist crew with self extrication due to
entangling cables and lines. Due to these issues power hydraulic cutters and reciprocating saws
will have a greater importance than spreading tools. If disentanglement is needed, be aware that
these vehicles might be a difficult challenge depending upon the tools at hand.

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Vandy Doing WORK!!!

Perth Amboy Fire Department recently ran a series of “Best Practices for Vehicle Rescue” programs for each of their tours. This program combined 4 hours of vehicle technology updates in the classroom welded to updated tool techniques for today’s vehicles in 4 hours of practical exercises. This program allowed responders to try out new techniques and tools in real world scenarios that had been reenforced in the classroom sessions.
Best Practices for VR-PAFD Practical Photo Gallery