Port Hope Fire and Emergency Services completed hands-on auto-extrication training at Standard Auto Wreckers’ facility on Sept. 8, using damaged vehicles to practise accessing and extricating occupants from collision scenes.
The Port Hope Fire Department is primarily made up of volunteer firefighters. The department holds between four and eight training sessions at the facility each year, with about 20 firefighters typically participating in each session.
The latest training used three vehicles and covered scenarios including head-on collisions, rollovers and multi-vehicle crashes. Firefighters also worked with test dummies representing both adults and children to practise extricating injured occupants.
The exercises included vehicle and structure stabilization, the use of hydraulic rescue tools such as the “Jaws of Life,” and disentanglement techniques including door and roof removals. The training also incorporated patient care and coordination.
Deputy fire chief Darryl Thompson credited Standard Auto Wreckers with supporting the department’s auto-extrication program by providing vehicles and assisting with the setup of training exercises.
“The variety of vehicles supplied and the support in the setup of our extrication evolutions has been awesome,” Thompson said.
He also thanked the company for its ongoing support of the department’s training program.
“We would like to extend our sincere thanks for the strong relationship we have developed with your organization over the years in assisting us in delivering a topflight auto extrication program to our firefighters,” Thompson said.
Standard Auto Wreckers president David Gold said the company is proud to support the Port Hope community and make its property and vehicles available for hands-on training.
“Being able to make our property and vehicles available to the Municipality of Port Hope and the Fire Department for important hands-on training is something that means a great deal to us,” Gold said.
Standard Auto Wreckers also provides training support to the Markham Fire Department at its Scarborough facility.
Gold said the company has the space and resources to support this type of training and is committed to assisting local first responders when possible.
Thompson said the department values the company’s continued cooperation and support.
“We value the professionalism and commitment demonstrated by the Standard Auto Wreckers team and look forward to continuing our positive working relationship,” he said.
