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Photo By Senior Airman Jeffrey Withrow | Robert Jacobs, Grissom firefighter, cuts into the frame of a car during extrication...... read more read more
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Having the right tools for the job is important, but knowing how to use them is essential.
Grissom’s fire department performed their semiannual vehicle extrication training at a salvage yard in Peru, Indiana on April 12, 2017.
“We perform this training twice a year, but what’s different this time is that we have a semi to work on,” said James Jones, Grissom Air Reserve Base firefighter. “We used to have the cars brought to us, but now we are able to take our trucks and crew to Peru where the salvage yard is located.
“This gives us training opportunities we’ve never had before,” he added.
Training in the salvage yard allowed firefighters to do things such as flipping or stacking cars, said Jones. That created a more realistic depiction of what a severe accident might look like.
“We train every day for the real thing, whether it’s a fire or a high-angle rescue,” he said. “Our training is always as realistic as possible, and every wreck is.”
The training consisted of crews taking turns cutting and smashing their way into piled-up sedans with claws and axes, and gaining entry to an overturned semi using a ladder and a circular saw.
Air Force Reserve Command recently provided the fire department with two sets of extrication tools valued at over $120,000, including two spreaders, two cutters and several rams, said Jones. The new equipment has been hugely beneficial to the fire crews.
“For some of our firefighters, this is their first extrication training, so to have these new tools and have access to the salvage yard is a great experience for them,” he said.
The fire department also invited local media to come witness the training, and has planned a future event where they will do joint training with civilian fire departments in the area.
“Grissom is part of the community,” said Jones. “We want the community to know that we have the manpower, the equipment and the training to help when needed.
“When something goes wrong, we’ll be prepared,” he added.
The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Men and women from the Hoosier Wing routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission.
Stay connected with the 434th ARW on Facebook and Twitter.
| Date Taken: | 04.21.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 01.30.2018 09:29 |
| Story ID: | 263815 |
| Location: | GRISSOM AIR FORCE BASE, INDIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 79 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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![Grissom Fire Department conducts vehicle extrication training [1 of 2]](https://d1ldvf68ux039x.cloudfront.net/thumbs/photos/1801/4108597/75x75_q95.jpg "Grissom Fire Department conducts vehicle extrication training [1 of 2]")
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