Vehicle Extrication Challenge Tests Responders
The 26th Annual North American Vehicle Extrication Challenge held in Calgary put teams from Canada, the United States, Britain, and Sweden to the test with multiple types of extrications, including simulated accident scenes involving a tanker truck and a cement truck.
The City of Calgary Fire Department and the Alberta Vehicle Extrication Association hosted the 26th Annual North American Vehicle Extrication Challenge in Calgary last week, offering a four-day rescue challenge, trade show, and awards dinner to teams from four countries that had been tested with multiple extrication scenarios. A two-day "Big Rig Rescue" symposium was presented at the Calgary department's Fire Training Academy Grounds.
Seventeen Canadian teams participated, joined by seven U.S. teams, two teams from Britain, and a Swedish team. Seven U.S. teams were unable to attend.
The Transportation Emergency Rescue Committee of Canada, an organization of emergency services workers, also was involved. TERC says local challenges held in Canada and the United States allow firefighters to take part in and witness extremely complicated extrications. Top teams in regional TERC judging qualified to compete at the North American Vehicle Rescue Challenge, which featured more than 90 extrications and the expo of extrication equipment.