SUBJECT: Volvo C-70 Dash Evolutions
TOPIC: Volvo C-70 dash/firewall and three-door evolutions
OBJECTIVE: Given images of a 2006 Volvo C-70 automobile, the rescue team shall determine the most appropriate techniques for completing dash/firewall and three-door evolutions using tools available to them within their equipment inventory.
TASK: The rescue team shall develop multiple procedures for addressing the challenge of completing dash/firewall rolling, jacking and a three-door evolution on a Volvo C-70 automobile.
McKinney, TX, Fire Department extrication personnel recently had the opportunity to perform various vehicle rescue tasks on two 2006 model year Volvo C-70 retractable hardtop roof convertible automobiles. In part 1 of this University of Extrication series, the challenges of roof removal and the lessons learned from this field research were presented. Part 2 addressed unique procedures necessary due to the very crashworthy vehicle structure and door design. In part 3, you'll learn how the seemingly simple process of rolling or jacking a dash and creating a three-door on the Volvo C-70 became almost impossible tasks to complete.
Through images shot during the training session, we'll take a look at the challenges that the McKinney rescue team encountered and see some of their solutions and lessons learned.
The bottom line from this particular research project, based on years of experience in vehicle rescue: If the structure of this vehicle is built this tough and it takes such an incredible amount of effort to tear it apart, rest assured the occupants won't be trapped in the first place! They'll be the ones standing over on the sidewalk when you get there, exchanging insurance information with the police.
TASK: The rescue team shall develop multiple procedures for addressing the challenge of completing dash/firewall rolling, jacking and a three-door evolution on a Volvo C-70 automobile.
Volvo Offers Training Manual For Emergency Responders
Volvo Cars of North America is offering a free, downloadable training document for emergency responders called the "Volvo Vehicle Extrication Guide." The 44-page illustrated manual describes safety systems such as airbags, pre-tensioners and crash sensors for Volvo vehicles from model year 1987 to 2005. The manual may be downloaded here.
RON MOORE, a Firehouse® contributing editor, is a battalion chief and the training officer for the McKinney, TX, Fire Department. He also authors a monthly online article in the Firehouse.com "MembersZone" and serves as the Forum Moderator for the extrication section of the Firehouse.com website. Moore can be contacted directly at [email protected].
