Bumper to Bumper Extrication: Extrication from inside the Auto Industry

The automotive industry is relentless in its pursuit of occupant safety in the vehicles they produce. Firefighters and rescue personnel need to continually update their knowledge on all aspects of vehicle technology. This presentation takes the new out of new vehicle technology and presents leading-edge information in a relevant manner that removes any previously learned scare tactics in other classes. Students will walk thru vehicle design and construction from bumper to bumper highlighting changes in technology, materials, and processes. In addition to where the technology is found in vehicles, the why and how is briefly covered to make the student a better responder and improve patient outcome.
Learning Objectives: Firefighters will read with an awareness/operations level of safety standards, body structures, seat structures, airbags, seatbelts, electric vehicles, 12-volt battery locations, where and why more laminated glass is being used, and how stabilization is affected with hybrid and electric vehicles.

With all of the different new vehicle technology information currently floating around the fire service, a down and dirty awareness level seem to be missing. The book provides a bumper-to-bumper awareness/operations level approach to new vehicle technology that any level of experience can immediately use on the job and even pass the information on to their departments and co-workers. The extrication discipline is flooded with new vehicle technology classes. This presentation incorporates my fire service experience and blends the knowledge from inside the auto industry into a street-level approach. My experience is a hybrid mix of automotive engineering and fire service background. I work in the auto industry in Detroit, Michigan with nearly 3 decades of experience in design and engineering. During my career, I worked on vehicle structures, and interior trim, and the last 15 years of extensive experience with seat systems for two of the largest seat suppliers in the world. The seat system experience includes safety systems, airbags, mechanisms, and seat structures.