South Carolina Firefighters Used Wrecked Cars in Extrication Training

Anyone driving on U.S. 17 Bypass, just north of the back gate of the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, Jan. 8-9 probably saw wrecked cars at the side of the road and wondered what was going on. Members from several area fire departments were training in Basic Auto Extrication. The class was provided by the S.C. Fire Academy and sponsored by Murrells Inlet Garden City Fire Rescue.

Firefighters from Murrells Inlet Garden City Fire Rescue, Midway Fire Rescue, Horry County Fire Rescue, North Myrtle Beach Fire Department, Georgetown County Emergency Services and South Lynches Fire Department participated. The class lasted two days and taught responders methods to stabilize a vehicle and gain access by removing windows, doors and roofs.

Passers-by could see crews using hand tools and hydraulic powered tools such as the "Jaws of Life" to tear apart vehicles. In a motor vehicle wreck, occupants frequently become trapped or sustain injuries that make it difficult to remove them from the automobile. All of the medical treatment that emergency medical technicians and paramedics can provide will be of little use if they cannot get the patient to the hospital. Vehicles were provided by Mason's Towing and Body Shop.