Swansea MA Fire Department
40-hour Basic-Intermediate-Advanced Extrication Program
Peter Burke, Chief of Department
Municipal Hire: Members Only

Members of Swansea MA Fire Department

October 15th Chief Peter Burke with 7 of the 30 members of the Swansea Ma Fire Department taking the 40-hour program. The member are standing in front of a vehicle they just cut in half with a Sawzall.

This is the same 40-hour program normally taught as a Monday through Friday "day" course. Each component has been broken up to teach Swansea's volunteer members according to their training availability weekends for the month of October. 
Below is an example of Extrication.Com's Modified Dash Roll the members executed during the practical session of 8-hour segment for new vehicle technology. Swansea members learned about electric, hybrid and fuel cell vehicles and alternative extrication techniques such as the MDR.

Extrication.Com's Modified Dash Roll

If you notice the front end does not nose dive into the roadway and the steering column was rotated through the windshield line.   Swansea has a 40-inch spreader that could easy lay the dash on top of the hood of the vehicle.

Basic Skills Segment of the 40-hour Extrication Program

Vehicle Under Ride with Double Entrapment

The October 16th attending members faced a complex evolution having a double entrapment. The class soon learned one of the benefits of the Modified Dash Roll. Half of the 15 group used a 40-inch spreader to displace the dash, the other half used a ResQTek 190 combi tool and PowerHawk mechanical ram to displace the driver's side.

MDR with Combi Tool and PowerHawk Mechanical Ram

Swansea members during intermediate extrication skills training.

We are often asked if different hydraulic manufacturer's tools can be mixed and matched?? The answer is yes and no!  First the operating systems have to be completely compatible including hydraulic fluids. Some tool manufacturers will change fittings and all component o-rings to meet fluid compatibility of your existing system.

Extrication.Com owns three sets of hydraulic tools from ResQTek and Hurst. All of the tools have a 5,000 psi operating system and same hydraulic fluid. In the above picture is our light weight ResQTek symo power unit with a Honda engine, Hurst cutters and a ResQTek combi-tool. The hydraulic hose lines and couplers are identical and can be seen in the above photo hooked up using both Hurst and ResQTek hose lines and connectors. This is an example of two interchangeable tool systems; plug and play. ResQTek tools also have an internal relief valve enabling them to be used with systems of higher pressure. So in the future should we use a 10,000 psi operating system we can still use our ResQTek tools. Again before purchasing or hooking up your current tools to another system check with the manufacturer first to void any warranty or liability issues.

Group-B During Heavy Truck Extrication

Surrealistic Vehicle Under Ride

This scenario offers an excellent opportunity to show how the Extrication.Com Modified Dash Roll can be used when a conventional roll can not. The MDR technique was executed on both sides of this sedan vs. truck under ride.

Members showed how much reach a 40-inch spreader could attend performing the Modified Dash Roll by hyper extending the lift.

Swansea Station-4 Captain stands by this vehicle that was on its side with driver entrapment scenario; MDR was used along with roof removal.

During the practical sessions business goes on as usual from a working fire to two motor vehicle extrications. Crews from Station-2 (Headquarters) respond for an extrication during their heavy truck practical session.

Swansea members cut the roof off using a Sawzall with 14 tpi Torch blade by Milwaukee.

Chief Peter Burke removes a door using Holmatro's SCRT 24v battery powered electric/hydraulic tool. The light weight combi tool was impressive and would make a great fast attack tool for an engine company. Below another member of the Swansea volunteers uses the SCRT to remove a B-pillar. The tool can run for approximately 20-25 minutes before requiring recharging. It also has power supply attachments that can use 110v AC power or 12v DC power.

Holmatro factory representative Al Sergio, Jr. augmented Sunday's heavy truck extrication program. Holmatro is one of sponsors that supplies additional equipment to supplement the hosts equipment/Extrication.Com when we have a large program.

Here the Swansea members use their rescue truck's rear mounted winch to perform a dash roll.

This was the first volunteer fire department in New England and east coast to host a forty hour basic-intermediate-advanced extrication program as a municipal hire; funded by a county grant. The basic skills classroom was taught on drill nights with the remaining training taught on weekends. Less than a week later the department responded to a horrific accident where the training was put to use.