WELLINGTON COUNTY
Auto Extrication
Overview
Apparatus Response to MVCs - Know Your
Role
 Vehicle Stabilization
 Extrication Techniques
 Pneumatic Lifting Bags
 Hybrids and Electric Vehicles
 Holmatro Book

Crew Organization
A systematic approach to vehicle extrication is
the best way to ensure that tasks are performed
as quickly yet as effectively as possible.
 The only way to effectively perform a systematic
rescue is through team work.
 In order for a team to work in perfect unison
they have to know exactly what is expected of
them and have confidence in their abilities and
skills to perform their specific tasks.
 The ideal number of rescuers for a simple single
occupant entrapment is approximately 5-6

Actions of First Arriving Rescue to
Simple Single Occupant Entrapment
Officer of Rescue:
 Arrival report
 Take command
 Assign one crew member as “medic”
 Assign crew (except medic) to outer and inner
circle checks
 Assign one crew member “in charge” of cribbing
 360° Size up (if possible)
 Think of a Plan A and B
Actions of First Arriving Rescue to
Simple Single Occupant Entrapment
Crew of Rescue:
 Outer and inner circle checks – update Captain of all
hazards and remove/isolate/protect
 “Medic” make verbal patient contact
 Crib the vehicle as per firefighter in charge of cribbing
 Listen for Plan A and B from Captain
 Disconnect Battery (Both terminals – Negative first)
 Glass management
 Make access for “Medic” or EMS
 Proceed with Plan A
Actions of First Arriving Rescue to
Simple Single Occupant Entrapment
Driver of Rescue:
 Use truck as initial blocker to protect crew and scene
 Chock wheels
 Set up tool staging area close to vehicle with ALL
extrication tools set up and ready to go
 Set up lighting as required
 Keep tool staging area as well as extrication work circle
tidy and organized
 If a firefighter has to go to your truck to get a piece of
equipment, you’re not doing your job!
 Watch for trip hazards
 STAY OUT OF THE EXTRICATION
Actions of First Arriving Rescue to
Simple Single Occupant Entrapment
Incident
Commander
(Captain of Rescue)
Driver of Rescue
Firefighter in Charge
of Cribbing
Firefighter
Firefighter Assigned
as “Medic”
Firefighter
Second Pump/Aerial Arrives On
Scene
Officer of Rescue:
 Pass command to Officer of second in pump/aerial and assume Rescue Sector
Officer of Pump/Aerial:
 Assume Command
Crew of Second Pump/Aerial:
 Charged 38mm (1½”) hand line minimum
 Stay out of the extrication unless requested by Rescue Sector Officer
Driver of Second Pump/Aerial:
 Stage truck as scene blocker (protect rescue)
 Chock wheels
 Pylons out
 Charge the hose
 Lighting as required
Second Pump/Aerial Arrives On
Scene
Incident Commander
(Officer of Second
Pump/Aerial)
Rescue Sector
(Officer of Rescue)
Driver of Rescue
Extrication Crew
Fire Sector
“Medic”
Driver of Pump
Tanker
Crew of Pump
Roadways with speeds of 90 km/h or less:

When an incident is of a nature that
firefighters will be laying hose or
otherwise working on the roadway,
apparatus should be positioned to provide
a safe work zone for the firefighters, until
police assume traffic control.
Roadways with speeds of 90 km/h or less:

Where apparatus will be parked without
protection of a “Blocker”, vehicle traffic
cones should be used by apparatus
operators to control traffic flow around the
parked vehicle, giving enough room for a
walkable safety zone around the vehicle.
Vehicle Stabilization
Vehicle Stabilization


Primary goal of stabilization is to maximize the area of
contact between the vehicle and the ground to prevent
any sudden or unexpected movement of the vehicle.
NEVER test the stability of the vehicle as it is found.
Three typical resting positions of a vehicle after collision:
 Upright
 On its side
 Upside down

Other (i.e. piggyback vehicles)
Vehicle on its Wheels
Chock Wheels
 Minimum 4 point crib
 Placed behind front wheel well and in
front of rear wheel well on both sides
(ideal)
 6 point crib – vehicle in danger of
collapsing

– Installed under the middle of both sides of the
vehicle (below B-posts)
Vehicle on its Wheels
Vehicle on its Side
To ensure that the vehicle does not fall
over, place wedges under A and C pillars
as well as the under side.
 Be aware of “fall zone”
 Shore the under side with Res-Q-Jacks
 Depending on the situation it may be
necessary to use the Jacks to stabilize the
roof side of the vehicle.

Vehicle on its Side
Vehicle on its Side
Vehicle on its Side
Vehicle on its Side
Vehicle on its Side
Vehicle on its Roof
Crib the roof rails between the back of the
vehicle and the ground
 Add additional cribbing to the space between
the engine compartment and the windshield for
additional stability
 Wedges under the front of the vehicle to prevent
forward movement
 Necessary to use Res-Q-Jacks if roof supports
will be compromised during extrication (i.e.
inverted roof flop)

Vehicle on its Roof
Vehicle on its Roof
Piggyback Vehicles
Goal is to make both vehicles “one”
 Stabilize lower vehicle first then stabilize upper
vehicle
 If patient is trapped in lower vehicle, ratcheting
upper vehicle to lower is sufficient
 If patient is trapped in upper vehicle, ratchet
vehicles together but use Res-Q-Jacks for added
support on the upper vehicle

Piggyback Vehicles
Extrication Techniques
Extrication Techniques
Firefighter and patient safety should be
foremost in the Officers’ mind when
selecting a Plan A and B
 Choose the easiest route available
 Try before you pry
 Firefighters and Officers need to know the
common names of the various extrication
techniques and how to perform them to
prevent delay during an extrication

Common Extrication Techniques
Door pop
 Full side
 Third door conversion
 C-post lift
 Roof flap
 Inverted roof flap
 Horseshoe/Trench cut
 Tunnel
 Dash lift/roll (ram & spreaders)

Common Extrication Techniques
Door Pop:
 Removal of a single door
 Used when patient is critical
Common Extrication Techniques
Full Side:
 Removal of both front and back doors
including B-post
 Full C-spine for front seat passengers
Common Extrication Techniques
Third Door Conversion:
 Creating a wider opening on two-door
vehicles
 Allows access to rear seat passengers
 Full C-spine for front seat passengers
Common Extrication Techniques
Common Extrication Techniques
C-Post Lift:
 Used when side access of vehicle is limited
or blocked
 Full C-spine for front seat passengers
 Very quick
Common Extrication Techniques
Common Extrication Techniques
Roof Flap:
Common Extrication Techniques
Common Extrication Techniques

Inverted Roof Flap:
Common Extrication Techniques
Common Extrication Techniques
Common Extrication Techniques

Horseshoe / Trench cut:
Common Extrication Techniques
Tunnel:
 Access is made through the rear of the
vehicle
 Great for vans, SUVs and hatchbacks
 Full C-spine for all patients
Common Extrication Techniques
Common Extrication Techniques
Dash Roll:
 Helps free leg entrapments
Common Extrication Techniques
Dash Lift:
 Helps free leg entrapments
Pneumatic Lifting Bags
Pneumatic Lifting Bags
Various shapes and
sizes
 High, medium and
low pressure

Pneumatic Lifting Bags
RULES:
 Plan operation before starting the work
 Be familiar with equipment
 Have an adequate air supply and sufficient cribbing on
hand before beginning operations
 Position bags on or against a solid surface
 Never inflate bags against sharp objects – use protective
mats
 Never inflate bags fully unless they are under load (4 bar
max when not under load)
 Inflate bags slowly and monitor them continuously for
any shifting
Pneumatic Lifting Bags
Never work under a load supported only by lifting bags
 Do not stand in front of pressurized bags
 Shore up the load with enough cribbing to support the
load in case of bag failure
 Interrupt the process frequently to increase cribbing –
lift an inch, crib an inch
 Ensure that the top tier is solid when using box cribbing
 Avoid exposing bags to materials hotter than 220°F
(104°C).
 Never stack more than two bags; centre the bags with
smaller bag on top and inflate the bottom bag first (½
full), then inflate the top bag fully.

Pneumatic Lifting Bags
Max Lifting Capacity:
 Small – 20.8 US tons or 41600 lbs
 Large – 34.2 US tons or 68400 lbs
Question: What is the maximum lifting capacity if we stack the small
and large bags?
Answer: 20.8 US tons
Question: What is the maximum lifting capacity if we place the two
bags side by side and inflate simultaneously?
Answer: 55 US tons
Pneumatic Lifting Bags

Stacked bags can only lift the capacity of
the lowest rated bag

The lifting capacity can be increased by
placing two bags side by side and inflating
simultaneously
Hybrids and 100% Electric
Vehicles
Response for Electric Vehicles
1.
2.
3.
4.
Identify that the vehicle is equipped with
hybrid technology or is 100% electric
Stabilize vehicle
Take reasonable steps to de-energize the
high voltage system and SRS
Identify the location of High Voltage
components prior to extrication
Identification of Hybrid Vehicles
Identification of Hybrid Vehicles
Identification of Hybrid Vehicles
Identification of Electric Vehicles
Identification of Electric Vehicles
2011 Nissan Leaf
Identification of Electric Vehicles
2011 Chevrolet Volt
Stabilization
The greatest hazard when dealing with
electric vehicles is the transmission is in
“Drive” with no signs of the vehicle being
powered up
 Chock the tires of suspected electric
vehicles before making access
 Do not crib vehicle under the Li-ion
battery (Volt, Leaf)
 Do not place pneumatic lifting bags under
high voltage components

De-energizing High Voltage
Systems
There are a couple ways to de-energize the
high voltage systems
Primary Method:
Turn OFF the vehicle
Remove contacts to the 12V service
battery
De-energizing High Voltage
Systems
Alternative Method:
 Remove High-Voltage Service Disconnect
Plug
Removing High Voltage Service
Disconnect Plug
The service disconnect plug provides a
means to disconnect the high-voltage
battery for safely servicing vehicle
 The individual cells inside battery pack will
still be charged
 Do not cut into high-voltage battery case
or penetrate batteries at any time

Removing High Voltage Service
Disconnect Plug
Removing High Voltage Service
Disconnect Plug
Removing High Voltage Service
Disconnect Plug
Additional Built-in Safety Systems
Inertia Switch – Fuel Pump Shut-off
 In the event of a collision or a substantial
physical jolt, the switch is designed to
open automatically, shutting off electrical
power to the fuel pump and the highvoltage shut-off switch.
Additional Built-in Safety Systems
Inertia Switch – High Voltage Cut-off
 In the event of a collision or a substantial
physical jolt, the switch is designed to
open automatically, disabling the highvoltage system.
Additional Built-in Safety Systems
High-Voltage Fuse
 In the event of a high-current short
circuit, the high-voltage fuse will open,
disabling the high-voltage system.
Additional Built-in Safety Systems
High-Voltage Interlock Circuit
 Whenever a high-voltage connector is
disconnected, the high-voltage interlock
circuit opens and disables the high-voltage
system.
Additional Built-in Safety Systems
Thermal Sensors
 In the event the ignition key is left in the
ON position, while the vehicle is parked
and the high-voltage battery temperature
exceeds 60°C (140°F), thermal sensors
located inside the high-voltage battery will
automatically disconnect the high-voltage
battery.
SRS are powered by the 12V service
battery only!
De-energizing the high voltage system
alone will NOT de-energize the SRS
ALWAYS attempt to disconnect the 12V
service battery prior to extrication on
ANY vehicle
Turning OFF the Vehicle
Some vehicle have a “smart key” that does not
go into the dash, the driver may carry it on their
person or in a briefcase
 The key only has to be within a certain distance
from the dash to activate and deactivate the
ignition system
 There may be just a button on the dash area
that you have to push to turn the ignition off

12V Service Battery Locations
In hybrids, most 12V batteries are located
under the hood
 Chevrolet Volt – left side trunk
 VW Touareg – under driver seat
 Smart – front passenger foot well
Identifying High Voltage
Components Before Extrication
Rescue Sector Officers should reference
the Holmatro Guide and any other
resources available (i.e. owners manuals)
before extrication
 Everyone involved in the extrication
should be aware of the location of all High
Voltage components (Orange)

Holmatro Rescue Guide to
Vehicle Safety Systems
Holmatro Guide Book






A guide containing information on a variety of
automotive safety equipment and associated
components
One book on each Rescue
Same information on all the computers
Identify the make, model and year of the vehicle
Then look it up in the book or on the computer
If you don’t know the year of the vehicle, use
the 10th digit rule
th
10
Digit Rule
Since 1981 every VIN contains 17
characters
 Tenth character always identifies vehicle’s
model year
 Identify the 10th character of the VIN and
then look it up in the quick reference chart
(page 1-5)

th
10
A – 1980
B – 1981
C – 1982
D – 1983
E – 1984
F – 1985
G – 1986
H – 1987
J – 1988
K – 1989
Digit Rule
L – 1990
M – 1991
N – 1992
P – 1993
R – 1994
S – 1995
T – 1996
V - 1997
W - 1998
X - 1999
Y - 2000
1 - 2001
2 - 2002
3 - 2003
4 - 2004
5 - 2005
6 - 2006
7 - 2007
8 – 2008
9 - 2009
th
10
A – 2010
B – 2011
C – 2012
D – 2013
E – 2014
F – 2015
G – 2016
H – 2017
J – 2018
K – 2019
Digit Rule
L – 2020
M – 2021
N – 2022
P – 2023
R – 2024
S – 2025
T – 2026
V - 2027
W - 2028
X - 2029
Y - 2030
1 - 2031
2 - 2032
3 - 2033
4 - 2034
5 - 2035
6 - 2036
7 - 2037
8 – 2038
9 - 2039
th
10
Digit Rule
2010 and 1980 both use the letter ‘A’
 If you can’t tell the difference between a
2010 model year and a 1980 model year,
look at the 7th digit of the VIN
 If the 7th digit is a number, it is a model
between 1980-2009
 If the 7th digit is a letter, it is a model
between 2010-2039

Holmatro Guide Book
Identifies location of:
 Airbags
 Pretensioners
 Batteries
 Impact sensors
 Gas struts
 Rollover protection systems
Also identifies manufacturers stated drain down
time for capacitors