This course introduces students to new technologies not encountered in the past that can impact rescue efforts. Topics covered include hybrid or electric driven vehicles, alternative fuel systems, dangerous drive train components, hazardous mechanical and hydraulic systems, plus more. Rescue challenges associated with air bags and their deployment and detonation systems, pre-tension systems and other passive restraint devices throughout the passenger compartment are also discussed. Methods of construction, vehicle body components and their materials of construction offer challenges not found at accident scenes in the past. The course is a recommended follow-up class to the Basic Auto Extrication course.
This course is designed for students who are or may be responsible for driving emergency vehicles. Students will receive a brief instructional presentation, then participate in driving simulator exercises that will enhance the lessons learned. Students will develop their skills through repeated practice of techniques. Emergency response scenarios will reinforce the use of these techniques and real-time decision making to avoid crashes.
One module is covered per DRIVE session. Students will be placed into the appropriate module during their first session in the DRIVE simulator. Students are encouraged to follow the progression of the modules and track their progress using the DRIVE Progress Card.
This class provides an overview of farm fires and brings strategies, tactics, operations and water supply logistics together. Today, rural fire departments can extinguish most farm fires. Emphasizing pre-planning, thinking "beyond your own back yard" and encouraging joint training and practice rural fires can have successful outcomes. The class covers response capabilities, strengths and weakness of the department as well as considerations for farm fires in buildings, areas involving common farm chemicals, machinery, fields and/or crops.
The Flammable Liquids by Rail Awareness class will introduce students to the recent increase in crude oil shipments by rail. This course will cover the basic chemical and physical properties of the types of crude being transported. In addition, we will discuss basic railcar design features, unit vs. manifest trains, common railroad terminology, and techniques for contacting and working with the railroad. The course will touch on tactics and strategies for handling crude oil train derailments, but will not teach the student how to employ these tactics. Lastly, the course will look at case studies of recent crude train
derailments and discuss lessons learned.