HAVFD hosts AVET Course

On Saturday and Sunday the Hogansburg Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department hosted a New York State Accident Victim Extrication Training (AVET) course. Members of the HAVFD, Akwesasne Mohawk Ambulance Unit and Westville VFD took part in the two-day course braving record-breaking temperatures and humidity to complete the course.

The course was taught by State Fire Instructor Brian Gokey who was assisted by State Fire Instructor Tom Tucker. The course went over different scenarios involving motor vehicle accidents and extricating victims. Updates were also given on hybrids, alternative fuels and safety features.

The hands-on training involved taking apart cars using several different tools and techniques. Alvin Jock of Jock’s Garage supplied the cars needed for the training. Cars are getting increasingly complex and that means better safety for the passengers but more danger for first responders. For example airbags use explosives or compressed gas to inflate. All that safety technology can injure a firefighter if cut or activated.

Dealing with these dangers means a car may be virtually destroyed when a victim is extricated. This is a lot better than a first responder getting injured by one of these devices. A lot of the cutting done in extrication is to avoid activating certain safety devices.

It is surprisingly easy to take a car apart with the tools available to the fire department. Of course, the ultimate tool for extrication is the hydraulic rescue tool affectionately known as the “Jaws of Life”. This community is lucky in that the HAVFD has four sets of these tools carried in each first run engine at every station. Less than half of the fire departments in Franklin County have hydraulic rescue tools and the county is still above par for these tools.

The first responders had to be aware of the temperature and allow for plenty of water and breaks between evolutions. The AMAU was on hand to make sure everyone was alright. Of course, Dick Laffin was on hand to provide lunch each day and that always makes any training easier to attend.

It takes serious devotion to duty for firefighters to give up their weekend to attend training, especially with the high heat and humidity. The line officers for the HAVFD are usually drawn from the firefighters who attend these trainings. This community has a first rate fire department, not just in Indian country, but in the nation. Hats off to those volunteers that braved the heat to improve their skills and your safety!