HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2004-06-09, Page 3434
Exeter Times–Advocate
Wednesday, June 9, 2004
Fire departments test skills on bus crash simulation
By Pat Bolen
TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF
EXETER — Fire
departments from
Exeter, Huron Park and
Dashwood put their skills
to the test last week
removing volunteer vic-
tims from a simulated
three -vehicle crash.
The exercise was orga-
nized by Exeter fire
department acting cap-
tain Jeff Musser and
required about a month
to plan.
Musser said such an
exercise hadn't been
conducted in the area for
several years and the
idea came about after
two scrap buses were
donated to the depart-
ment by Mike Veri.
After the first bus was
used to train firefighters
how to cut open a bus, it
was decided to conduct a
full scale exercise using
the second bus, as well
as a car and a van.
Musser said the exer-
cise went well, with
Exeter first on scene and
calling for more man-
power immediately on
realizing there were mul-
tiple victims.
Despite the challenging
scenario, all 16 victims in
the three vehicles were
removed within 61 min-
utes from the first call
out.
Equipment and train-
ing worked well between
the three departments,
with communication
equipment one of the few
problems encountered,
which Musser said would
be a more serious prob-
lem in the event of build-
ing fires.
Volunteer victim
Joanne Jaques was the
last to be removed, after
being pinned in a
crushed van that
required the removal of
the roof to extract her.
Jaques said it was
scary as the firefighters
cut open the van and she
couldn't see anything but
was impressed with the
way they worked togeth-
er.
Overall, Musser said
the exercise provided
beneficial training for all
departments.
The Exeter fire depart-
ment will be putting on
its firemen's breakfast
this Saturday from 7
a.m. to 11 a.m.
Area fighters assess the situation during a training exercise held just outside Exeter
June 7 involving a three vehicle crash with volunteers simulating victims inside the
vehicles. (Below) Lucas Skinner and Cam Musser wait to be removed from the bus
crash.
Bus crash survivor Carla Musser is assessed by Dave Atthill. (Below)Pete
Hrudka, Jeremy Becker and Scott Inson remove Tyler Robinson from the crash.
Firefighters remove the roof of the van in order to extract Joanne Jaques.All 16 vol-
unteer victims were removed from the three -vehicle crash within 61 minutes of the
first call to firefighters.
Volunteers relax with firefighters after being pulled from the wreckage. Back L-
R: Lucas Skinner, Cam Musser, Travis Jaques, Patrick Gehan. Front: Amber
Overholt, Carla Musser, Nikta Benson, Amanda Post, Emmett O'Reilly, Greg
Lovelace, Tyler Robinson, Scott Armstrong, BJ O'Reilly, Joanne Jaques, Erwin
Vincent, Aaron Masse and Claude Fernette.