Vehicle Extrication & Rescue

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To talk about all things related to vehicle extrication.

Not USAR. Not Confined Space. Not SAR. Not BA. Not Swift Water. Not Trench.

Vehicle extricaiton only....
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Ability of current Rescue Tools to Cut, Shear and Bend High Strength Metal Alloys and Composite Materials

by Lewis R. Austin

Apr 9, 2011

With the introduction of high strength metal alloys and composite materials into vehicles, we have found that current rescue tools do not have the ability to cut, shear or bend these materials.  The Fire Protection Research Foundation have task together a group to gather information regarding the issues being faced by fire and rescue personnel in the field.  1) Identify extrication scenarios where rescuers have faced high stength metal alloys and composite materials resulting in problems of cutting, shearing and bending using rescue tools.  2) Assess high strength metal alloys currently being used in vehicle manufacturing and future use in vehicles.  3) Develop a field inventory of powered rescue tools in use today according to their age and capabilities.  This will include air chisels, reciprocating/sawzalls, spreaders, O-cutters amd rams.

 

Please forward your comments, scenarios and information on your rescue tools (age of tool, operational ratings and type of tool). 

E-mail:  lewfirechief@yahoo.com

 

Thank you for participating and providing this information.  Be Safe!

 

Lewis R. Austin, Chairman

NFPA 1936 Standard on Powered Rescue Tools

 

 

 

 

Load Previous Replies
  • up

    lutan1

    It was an older Hurst cutter, not sure of the model.
    So not new technology tools? No wonder it couldn't do it....

    Aug 18, 2011

  • up

    Ben Waller

    "Official report", dunno.

    Personally-witnessed hydraulic hose failures - many.
    Anectodal reports of hydraulic hose failures - many.

    Manufacturers that replace failed hoses - many.

    Anything manmade can fail. The trick is to figure out how to work around the failure if it happens during an extrication so that you can still cut the patient free.

    Twin-hose systems make the failure point obvious. In my book, that's a good thing.

    The core system hides the failure. In my book, that's a bad thing.

    Aug 20, 2011

  • up

    Donna Stewart

    Just got Genesis at our department. Everyone loves them and the dealer we went through worked with us to get them to a price we could afford.

     

    Sep 29, 2011