Yes!...we have heard it all before; "You guys have a what? An excavation team? An evacuation team? What in the wide world of sports is that"? Honestly, it can be a little disheartening after awhile, hearing folks say the same thing over and over with a puzzled look on their faces. "I thought you were a firefighter. Do you do the excavation thing on the side for a little extra cash"? Say what?
We (The FLEX Team) are going to attempt to pull back the veil of secrecy that apparently conceals this whole auto extrication business from the general public as well as a few of our own folks who aren't any more "in the know" than the others. So here goes nothing...
Auto Extrication Competitions, or "Challenges" as they are commonly referred to, are held across the US, Canada and other parts of the globe. The purpose of these competitions is two-fold; teams are exposed to new techniques, methods and technology at these events, which improves their skills and knowledge enabling them to better serve their customers and the communities which they protect. Secondly, it allows them to be judged and evaluated in a competitive environment, measuring their skills agains those of their peers.
Extrication Competitions commonly consist of 3 scenarios or “Pits”, the Unlimited, Limited and Rapid, each having their own unique set of challenges. Vehicles are placed in various configurations that simulate actual motor vehicle accident scenes. Simulated hazards and obstacles are also placed throughout the scene such as gas meters, downed power lines and fire hydrants. Normally a LIVE patient, who also serves as a judge, is placed in one of the vehicles. Ocassionally a rescue manikan is used if the scenario poses too much risk to use a LIVE patient. It is each teams mission to quickly, safely and efficiently extricate the patient using universally accepted extrication techniques.
The first scenario is the UNLIMITED, which in short, means that you can use any and all tools found in the competitions tool crib. The second scenario is the LIMITED, which means NO hydraulic rescue tools are allowed. Teams must use hand tools such as reciprocating saws, air chisels, high-lift jacks, etc. Finally, the third scenario is the RAPID which allows for unlimited tool usage, but gives teams only 10 minutes to complete their evolution, whereas the UNLIMTED and LIMITED scenarios allow a full 20 minutes to complete the evolution.
Teams consist of 6 members. Each team must have a designated “IC” or Incident Commander and a MEDIC. These two positions cannot be changed and must be maintained for the course of the entire event. The other four members are assigned as tool operators and given individual assignments and responsibilities by the IC and can be changed as needed.
Team performances are evaluated and scored by a team of judges using specific criteria contained in the TERC Judges handbook. TERC or the Transportation Emergency Rescue Committee, is the sanctioning body under which most state, regional, national and international competitions are held. In order to compete in TERC sanctioned events, teams must join and be registered with TERC, after which they are given a registration number.
Individual judges are assigned to both the IC and MEDIC. The IC is evaluated on his or her command presence, coordination and delegation of specific duties, maintaining control of the scene, direction and communication of their team, etc. The MEDIC is evaluated on rapidly accessing the patient, timely evaluation of the patients condition, ABC’s, initiating and maintaining c-spine precautions, protecting and comforting the patient, internal stabilization, work in mitigating entrapment, overseeing the safe removal of the patient from the vehicle, etc. The other 4 team members are judged on items such as stabilization, tool selection and use, technique, safety and housekeeping, etc. Awards are normally presented to the Top 3 Teams Overall, Unlimited, Limited, Rapid, and Outstanding IC and Medic. Ultimately, that is what this is really all about; that and looking cool, but mainly about saving lives. In all seriousness, it is our profession and something we all take very seriously. Still want to know more? Come check us and other teams from around the US, Canada, Sweden and the UK at the 2009 TERC International Challenge "Pile Up in Puyallup", August 19th-22nd, 2009. For more information, visit www.thepxteam.org
The FLEX Team...giving you "the look"...shaking their heads in
disgust that you actually thought we "excavate" on the side.
