Vehicle Extrication and Paramedic

January 3, 2009

Fellow members:

I am seeking best practice information as a Paramedic onscene of an MVA

requiring extrication. I am seeking information beyond the golden

hour,the ten minute window, and calling for a helicopter (we're

approximately 35 - 45 minutes away from the nearest trauma center. We

often respond to mvas requiring extrication in the county with

volunteer first responders who may or may not be medically trained

and/or familiar with extrication practices and/or tools. Any

suggestions are encouraged either here or on my personal email @

daniel.murphy@...

NREMT-P

January 3, 2009

,

Although some may consider it extreme, we made a couple of operational decisions

regarding this in our agency.? When we purchased our two latest ambulances, we

went with the extended cab International chassis and we added 2 items to it.? We

put a hydraulic generator on the truck that powers a 110AC hydraulic pump that

is used to power a Halmatro combination spreader/cutter tool.? In addition, we

put a 20 gallon dry CAFS system on the truck as well for incipient fire

suppression.?

We trained our 3rd service EMS folks to use this equipment for the very reason

you describe.? Although we hope we never use it, we train on it every 6 months

so that we can if we need to.? We are not extrication experts, but we are

prepared to pop a door or make a hole if we need to....

Even if you guys can't get your own equipment, working with these agencies to

train your personnel in how to use the extrication equipment would be very

beneficial since your guys are always going to be there.

Dudley