Nearly 20 first responders from rescue units in the central Kentucky area recently donned their gear at the new Pinnacle Financial Partners office in Bowling Green, Ky., for a hands-on learning experience teaching them how to rescue accident victims from late-model vehicles — life-saving skills that are critical when minutes matter most — all thanks to Pinnacle Financial Partners, Hurst Jaws of Life and the National Auto Body Council F.R.E.E. program. The vehicles were generously donated by Allstate and GEICO.
“Pinnacle is proud to partner with NABC and the Changing and Saving Lives Foundation to provide this valuable, life-saving training,” said Ervin Sorrell, client service advisor for Pinnacle. “At Pinnacle, we work hard to give back to the community, and what better way to do so than giving to those who give back so much to us. We’re thrilled to be able to host this event at our new Bowling Green office.”
Today’s vehicles are equipped with numerous airbags, advanced technology and innovative safety systems that keep drivers safer in case of an accident. But these same safety advantages make it harder for first responders to rescue those drivers and passengers. Add to that the potential challenge presented by electric and hybrid engines, and first responders need a whole new arsenal of rescue tools and procedures.
“A lot of times there’s a misconception that firefighters just do fire firefighting, but we have multi-faceted things that we have to do whether it’s medical calls, fires or in this case, vehicle extrication,” said Michael Alden, deputy fire chief, Warren County Fire Department.
For more information on the NABC F.R.E.E. program, click here.
