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Home  In The News
In The News
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Walking up to the maroon Subaru sitting on its side, Bob Sandry grabs hold and rocks the car back and forth."I could probably push this over," he said.
Accidents in which cars like the Subaru end up on their sides or on their tops pose the biggest risk to the safety of emergency responders and those trapped inside the vehicle, Sandry said. The vehicles are unstable and can topple over while extracting patients.
With new equipment, the Sioux City Fire Department hopes to eliminate that danger.
Sandry spent Wednesday at a lot near PQ Auto Salvage, 3240 31st St., using junk vehicles to train firefighters on the Res-Q-Jack, technically called a slide rail strut system. In simpler terms, it's a tube within a tube that braces the vehicle to keep it from moving. The system is gaining popularity in the Midwest after being introduced on the East and West coasts six-eight years ago, Sandry said.
After firefighters placed the jacks on each side of the Subaru, Sandry again walked up to the car and shook it. The car barely moved.
"It's a whole lot safer to work on now," said Sandry, a firefighter for 20 years and owner of Sandry Fire Supply of DeWitt, Iowa, which sold the equipment to the Sioux City Fire Department.
Each of the department's two rescue vehicles will be equipped with the Res-Q-Jack. It will be an improvement over the blocks, wedges and other jacks firefighters have used to stabilize vehicles.
"There have been numerous times where I've been at a scene and it would have been nice to have this," Capt. Mike McClennen said. "It's one of those things where you don't use it all the time, but when you need it, it's nice to have it."
Firefighters also practiced using the Res-Q-Jack on a vehicle stuck on top of another and a vehicle lying on its top. |
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 "The Res-Q-Jack system differs from the others in that it actually uses . . . an adjustable jacking unit built into it (Figure 7-102). The Res-Q-Jack uses three tensioned stabilization points around the vehicle - two struts on one side and the adjustable strut  positioned on the opposite side. The final step in stabilizing the overturned vehicle involves operation of the jacking unit to secure the stabilized load. . . . Buttressed stabilization used for a vehicle that is on its edge or that has rolled over makes an immense difference in rescue work. . . . a properly deployed tensioned buttress system placed into position against a rolled-over vehicle can truly make the vehicle rock solid. The tensioned buttress stabilization technique is simple, safe, quick, and extremely effective."
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 By Stephen Byrd / For the Times
MUSCATINE, Iowa — In the past, if Muscatine firefighters were called out to rescue people from an overturned car, truck or van, they would first shore up the vehicle with large wooden wedges, blocks and chains.
Then three or four husky firefighters would brace themselves against the vehicle, keeping it from rolling over again while a paramedic climbed inside to treat victims.
Imagine trying to do that in a muddy roadside ditch, on a steep incline or on an icy road. At night.
“It makes it a very dangerous situation for the firefighter and the patient trapped inside as well as for his buddies trying to stabilize the vehicle outside,” Muscatine firefighter Ted Hillard said.
But thanks to a grant from Cargill AgHorizons, 700 Orange St., the Muscatine Fire Department recently purchased equipment that will help stabilize an overturned vehicle and keep firefighters and accident victims safe.
Hillard worked with Muscatine fire officials and Cargill operation leader Gene Walerius and manager Fred Oelschlaeger to obtain a $2,400 grant from the company that was used to purchase a Res-Q-Jack.
The equipment, manufactured by Elmira, N.Y.-based Res-Q-Jack Inc., is a multipurpose vehicle-stabilization system consisting of four metal posts as well as several bright yellow canvas straps and chains of varying lengths.
The posts, straps and chains are adjustable, allowing firefighters at an accident scene to set up the system at any angle on any kind of surface.
With the stabilization system locked in place, the posts can hold the weight of an overturned vehicle, allowing rescue personnel to either cut open the vehicle or climb inside and treat a victim without worrying whether their presence in the vehicle would pose a danger.
The posts can even be hand-cranked upward several inches in order to free a trapped patient’s arm or leg from underneath a vehicle.
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 Following From: EF&P Magazine Summer 2004, pg. 8
About the Cover
This issue's cover was shot in San Diego, California and features the Res-Q-Jack(tm), by Cepco Tool Company, in action
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JAMIE PRESTON OLMSTEAD , Register Citizen Staff 05/03/2003
TORRINGTON-- The Torrington Fire Department wants to trash your car - literally.
Utilized as tools for vehicle extrication training, Deputy Jaye Giampaolo is calling on Torrington residents to donate their used vehicles between now and May 12.
"The exercise is intended to train firefighters on vehicles that are currently on the road," Giampaolo said. "We’re not looking for rust buckets."
Vehicle extrication training combines the use of rescue jacks with the skill of a firefighter to stabilize vehicles in precarious situations, Giampaolo said. Whether pinned up against a tree or teetering off the edge of a cliff, rescue jacks can be placed in crucial locations to either lift or balance any automobile while fire, police or EMS personnel attempt to extricate passengers.
"Our guys are certainly at an expert level, but you can never get enough training," Giampaolo said. "We have to stay on the cutting edge and familiarize ourselves with the newest equipment."
Coupled with the recent purchase of rescue jacks by the City’s fire department, several firefighters certified in the area of vehicle extrication will serve as instructors for the training, which begins on May 13. During the exercises, firefighters will run through several scenarios that require the rescue of a human form or, in this case, a life-like dummy.
"This is a very dynamic training exercise," Giampaolo said. "It’s going to be very interesting and very life-like."
According to Giampaolo, all of Torrington’s fire personnel will take part in the training between May 13 and 29. Unlike training exercises in past years, which were typically conducted at the junkyard on Riccardone Avenue, the extrication drills will be held behind fire department headquarters at 111 Water Street.
"It’s the taxpayers hard work that has allowed us to buy the equipment," said Giampaolo, who invites the public to watch the training exercises. "We want to let them know that their tax dollars are going to good use."
Any individuals interested in donating vehicles will be provided with documentation for tax write-offs. All automobiles may be dropped off at fire headquarters prior to training and, in some instances, arrangements may be made to tow vehicles that do not run.
For more information or to donate a vehicle, contact Deputy Jaye Giampaolo by calling (860) 489-2253.
http://www.registercitizen.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=7902179&BRD=1652&PAG=461&dept_id=12530&rfi=8
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BY JOANIE MORRIS
SALISBURY POST
ENOCHVILLE—On Deal Road Saturday night, there was a bus on top of a car, a car that had overturned and farm machinery on top of people. There were also 68 rescue workers ready to help.
“We were planning on about 40 people,”said Coyt Karriker, chief of the Rowan County Rescue Squad. The cars, bus and farm equipment were part of a training exercise that was originally supposed to be a small training class.
“We didn’t turn anybody down,”Karriker said. “How many ever came, we just tried to make accommodations for them.”
At the training exercise, Karriker had a state instructor come to show rescue workers how to use the equipment on which they were training.
Rowan Rescue purchased a new rescue tool, called a ResQ Jack, and used it for the first time Saturday. It’s a stabilizing tool that cost $2,500 with attachments.
“It’s a time-saving device as far as stabilizing the vehicle,”Karriker added. That allows emergency workers to get victims out quicker, with a greater chance of surviving.
“That will enable them to quickly and effectively stabilize a vehicle that happens to be side resting or inverted,”Billy Leach, fire rescue instructor from the state, said.
“It will dramatically increase the speed and efficiency of a rescue operation. ... Not only will it increase the speed, but it will increase the safety of the workers as well as the victims.” . . . . . . .
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Multi-Purpose Vehicle Stabilization Equipment
 By now, we should all know that vehicle stabilization is important for a number of reasons. However, are we aware of all the various equipment and various methods out there for accomplishing vehicle stabilization? All are not created equal. If patient friendliness, firefighter friendliness, setup speed, cost, and versatility are among your criteria for equipment selection, you need to closely compare what’s out there.
Vehicle stabilization is an operation at a rescue scene which should be, in most cases, a present yet unnoticed operation from the patient’s viewpoint. In other words, this operation offers no direct relief for the patient, and should therefor consume very little precious time. It may prevent the patient from further injury, but it does nothing to ease there pain.
Passenger vehicle stabilization is not the same as building collapse stabilization. Building collapse typically dictates the use of bulky equipment with time consuming setups. Passenger vehicles are relatively lightweight and allow for the use of lighter components with quicker setup times. Considering the fact that the number of incidents requiring passenger vehicle stabilization far outnumber the incidents requiring building collapse stabilization, a rescue team should think about equipping themselves with the right tools for passenger vehicle stabilization and then possibly consider the more costly, less often required building collapse equipment.
Within the field of passenger vehicle stabilization equipment, there are many choices. There are a number of things to look for to determine what is best for you:
1. Firefighter Friendliness: Is the equipment understandable and easy to use. How do the adjustment pins work. Is it clear how the parts fit together. Will the rescue team put it to use?
2. Patient Friendliness: How quickly can the equipment be set up? It should take no more than approximately 2 minutes to set up solid stabilization on a side-resting or roof-resting passenger vehicle.
3. Adaptability/Flexibility: How easily is the equipment adapted or set up to meet the demands of a less than ordinary situation?
4. Versatility: How else might this equipment be used to justify a purchase?
5. Base Options: Can you strap the bases? How many straps can you use? Are there any pre-attached straps? Can you stake the base? Can you remove the base and replace with an end fitting?
6. End Fitting Options: Are the end fittings removable? What other end fittings are available? Will the manufacturer build custom fittings?
7. Adjustment options: How easily are the stands adjusted? Can you adjust stand length under load with a built in jack? Is the jack smooth acting?
The Res-Q-Jack™ equipment is a system available on the market today which satisfies all of the above concerns. The unique feature built into the Res-Q-Jack™ jack stand is the side-wind jack unit. This jack is a powerful jack with a 12" (0.3 meters) travel and a lift capacity of 4,000 lbs. (17.8 kN). The jack offers the ability to adjust the length of the stand under load. The jack moves very smoothly with infinitesimal adjustment ability and no "jumping".
Adjustable telescopic steel tubing offers quick coarse adjustment. Easy to use tablock pins allow firefighters to make adjustments while keeping their gloves on.
Interchangeable end fittings which simply plug into the stands are available in a variety of configurations. You can select from a channel head, inverted angle, chisel point, locking chain grab, beam plate, combination head, or join three stands with a tripod head. Certain vehicle components may demand a particular end fitting.
The base of this system offers many options for restraint. The "first out" restraint could be two pre-attached quick-acting cambuckle straps. If greater restraint is needed, a heavier duty strap or chain may be used and attached to auxiliary hook points. If straps are not suitable in the given situation or further security is required, the bases may be staked to the ground.
The applications for this equipment are numerous. The Res-Q-Jack™ design described above allows for use in many different passenger vehicle accident scenarios. Unique methods have been developed for different situations including side-resting, roof-resting, or car-on-car stabilization. The application of this equipment, however is not limited to motor vehicle stabilization applications. Other areas include: light structural stabilization, light aircraft stabilization, displacements, and various confined space applications. For more information you may contact Cepco Tool Company, PO Box 700, Spencer, NY 14883 USA. You may also visit their web site at www.res-q-jack.com.
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David Pease, Chief
The Reds Team
Stabilization
 We will now take a look at another important part of our extrication arsenal of equipment, stabilization devices. We, as rescuers, have come to realize the importance of good vehicle stabilization. This aspect of vehicle extrication plays a major role in the safety of all those involved, including our patients. I think for years, the importance of good stabilization was overlooked and under practiced. We have seen a tremendous increase in training on stabilization techniques as well as new equipment on the market to make the job much easier. . . . . . . . . . . .
Telescoping Systems
When having to stabilize vehicles and trucks, we find ourselves in situations where it would take a truckload of wood cribbing to provide a safe environment to work in. Over the years we have seen a new type of stabilization device emerge; a telescoping style unit that is designed to be easily installed. Most of these new style devices were designed with the help of those who have worked in the fire and rescue field. These units are lightweight and some even have multiple functions. They can be easily stored and take up considerable less room. However, I think there will always be a need for standard cribbing in vehicle extrication. . . . . . . .
Cepco Tool Company markets the Res-Q-Jack vehicle stabilization system. The Res-Q-Jack is offered in several kits with different configurations. The basic construction of the tubing is galvanized steel that is perforated on all four sides on one inch centers. This allows for one inch increments of extension. The tubing comes in two inch, 12 gauge steel and two and a quarter inch 12 gauge steel. The base plate is a five by six inch diamond plate pad that has a two inch perforated tube bolted on a pivot for attaching a jack unit, another piece of tubing, or a custom adaptor. There are 2 cam buckle straps attached to the pivot bolt. The base plate has optional hook points and 4 holes for anchoring to the ground if necessary. The jack unit is a sidewind type jack, that utilizes a threaded rod driven by the crank handle. A short section of tubing is attached to the side of the jack that allows for the insertion of an extension tubing, end fittings, or custom parts. The tube of the jack will receive a base plate, two inch tubing, or custom parts. The jack will lift 4000 pounds with a static load capacity of 7000 pounds and a travel distance of 12 inches. There are 5 end fittings available for the jacks. They are the flat point end, a channel style end, a ‘V" shaped end, an end with a rod protruding for slots and holes in the vehicle, and a chain grabbing end. The system uses tablock pins that are easy to put in place and remove. These pins are rated for a double shear strength of 10,000 pounds. A clevis pin with a locking cotter pin is used to attach the jack to the base. These pins are also rated at 10,000 pounds. There is also an assortment of chains, hooks, and straps available. Res-Q-Jack offers a variety of kits for the rescuer needs. The four-point combination package includes two jack stand kits and two adjustable stand kits. The three-point combination kit includes one jack stand and two adjustable stand kits. There is an adjustable four-point ratchet stand package that includes four adjustable stands. The three-point adjustable ratchet stand package has three adjustable stands. The two-point ratchet set has two stands. The jack stand kit is designed for fine adjustment and loading. This package comes with a sidewind jack unit, a base plate, 3 perforated extension tubes in 18 inch, 24 inch, and 36 inch lengths. The ram kit includes a jack unit and two 24 inch extension tubes. The big package is known as the Coral Gables Competition Kit and includes three jack stand kits, three end pieces, three chain and hook assemblies, and one roof rest package. There are many combinations of packages and kits available for the rescuer to choose from.
The use of telescoping style stands for vehicle stabilization is known as a buttress system or buttress type of stabilization. A tensioned buttress system is when you attach the base of the stand to the vehicle using a strap. When setting up a buttress stabilization system, one should remember that at least 3 units should be set to provide the minimum 3 point set up. The more points of the vehicle that touch the ground, the better. Every extrication situation will be different. These situations can also change throughout the extrication. As the rescuers cut and remove parts of the vehicle, the points of gravity and forces are subject to change as well. This means that you may have to change or add to the stabilization process throughout the course of the extrication.
The fact that stabilization has become a vital part of our vehicle extrication process, we need to pay more attention to the equipment we will need to accomplish this goal. Take the time to research the equipment available to you. This time will be well spent, and will benefit you down the road when that MVA occurs and you need everything you have to properly stabilize the vehicles at the scene. Wood cribbing is inexpensive, but cheap is not always better. Always consider an assortment of stabilization equipment as one kind may not meet your needs on every extrication. Also be sure to train regularly with whatever equipment you choose to put on your rescue apparatus.
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