Photos: FL Dept. Takes North American Vehicle Rescue Challenge

The Transportation Emergency Rescue Committee (TERC) recently held its North American Vehicle Rescue Challenge, with teams from Canada and the U.S. The competition was hosted by TERC US and the Hagerman, NY, Fire Department.

The first extrication competition was held in Gravenhurst, Ontario. in 1986. The following year TERC was established by a group of first responders who felt the need to help educate and challenge fellow rescuers in the skills of removing twisted metal from around occupants entrapped in a vehicle. Since then, the group has continued learning and developing skills and techniques from each other to better serve their communities.

Thee extrication events are called “challenges” because the committee feels it is more important to be challenged in timed scenarios. It allows them to sharpen their skills and observe how other teams may approach a similar extrication situation.

The competition does get rather intense and features three pits for various scenarions: Limited, Unlimited and Rapid.

During the Limited Scenario, each team is given a 20 minutes to work using only hand and pneumatic tools. Props can be used to simulate downed wires or fuel hazards, and concrete fixtures such as highway dividers can be used to block access into the vehicle making the teams “think” of the safest and most effective way of removing the patient. Depending on the competition, a "live" patient can be present to provide real feedback to the rescuers.

In the Unlimited Scenario, each team is given a total of 20 minutes to work using all available hand and heavy hydraulic tools. Complex scenarios include the use of multiple cars, props or concrete fixtures, which will result in a mannequin being used but is wired with microphones so the medical judge can hear the dialog being given by the rescuers.

During the Rapid Scenario, teams are alloted 10 minutes with an identical scenario all around. All hand and heavy hydraulic tools are allowed, and a “live” victim is present in the car. After a few minutes, the live patient will simulate a rapid decline in health and rescue crews must work quickly and safely to extricate the victim. Various props can add new challenges to the scenarios.