Sept. 25, 2018—Faulkner Collision Center of Lancaster, Pa., will host first responders from Maytown, West Hempfield, Akron, Manheim Township, and Spring Hill Fire Departments at a special NABC F.R.E.E. education and guidance program on Saturday.
The event will be held at Faulkner Collision Center and will go from 9 a.m. to noon.
The event is part of the NABC F.R.E.E. program, a program that provides education and guidance to help first responders practice cutting techniques on advanced vehicles, addressing high-strength steel and composite materials, multiple airbags, onboard technology and changing vehicle design.
The vehicles for the program were donated by State Farm and John Sileski from MES is the classroom instructor and extrication demonstrator.
The growing popularity of high-voltage hybrid and electric vehicles and the many safety concerns surrounding these vehicles makes this program a necessity. Alternative fuel systems present different challenges when first responders arrive at the scene of an accident. Electric cars, hybrid cars and natural gas vehicles have fuel systems that pose dangers for first responders if need arises to “cut” the vehicle for rescue.