BCCRS Press Release

Contact: Assistant Chief Peter Morris
Public Information Officer
(301) 973-7363

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May 2, 2000

B-CC Rescue Squad Wins Awards At Mid-Atlantic Regional Auto Extrication Competition 2000

A team representing the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad won two top awards for competition during the three-day TERC Mid-Atlantic Regional Auto Extrication Competition 2000 held on April 28 — 30, 2000. The B-CC Rescue Squad team was awarded 2^nd place in the Unlimited Vehicle Extrication category and received the Judge’s Award for outstanding performance as a first time competitor. The B-CC Rescue Squad team, composed of six volunteer Firefighter/Rescuers from the Rescue Squad, competed against eleven other rescue teams from Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey.

The TERC Extrication Competition challenges rescue teams to safely remove a mannequin from a simulated automobile accident. Each competing team is given a different scenario, but in every situation the mannequin is pinned or entrapped in a crushed vehicle. Rescue teams are judged on their ability to create rescue plan, stabilize the vehicle, and free the pinned mannequin. The B-CC Rescue Squad team was faced with a mini-van overturned on its side, resting against a guardrail. The roof of the mini van was crushed and the mannequin was pinned between two crushed seats.

The B-CC Rescue Squad team stabilized the vehicle, removed the guardrail, and used the Amkus cutters and spreaders (also known of the "Jaws of Life") to free the victim. The Judges were especially impressed when the B-CC Rescue Squad team utilized the new Snake Eye Camera to see inside the mini van. The special lipstick sized camera was placed into areas that rescuer eyes could not see. This helped the B-CC Rescue Squad team determine the best way to free their patient, the mannequin.

Assistant Chief Peter Morris, Captain Steve Johnson, Lt. Dave Peary, Lt. Shawn Burget, MFF Mike Natchipolsky, and MFF Jim Elliott represented the B-CC Rescue Squad team. This was the first time that any member of the B-CC Rescue Squad team participated in this type of competition. The team trained as a unit over the past two weeks, cutting apart six cars in preparation for the official competition.

The Transportation Emergency Rescue Committee of the International Association of Fire Chiefs sponsors the competition. The Mid-Atlantic Regional competition is part of a nationwide tournament that culminates in a national competition in Louisville, Kentucky in October.

Team B-CC 2000 plans to participate in future competitions, including an auto extrication competition held at the Montgomery County Fair in August.

For further information, please contact Assistant Chief Peter Morris at 301-973-7363.