Ark. EMT Students Required to Learn Auto Extrication Techniques

Log Cabin Democrat, Conway, Ark.

Eighteen students with the Conway Career Center took part in a hands-on extrication training course taught by Conway firefighters.

The Conway Fire Department was at Conway High School on Friday to teach area students potentially life-saving techniques. The course marked the 11th year Conway Care Center (CCC) students have been able to learn Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) procedures.

“This is a yearly event for us,” CCC instructor Shannon Busby said. “We are so fortunate that the Conway Fire Department helps us out with this, and we are very grateful for Steve’s Auto for furnishing the car for this year.”

During the extrication course, Training Cpt. Rick Powell along with firefighters Damon Reed and Steven Craig explained how each extrication tool was used before they allowed the students to participate in the hands-on workshop that walked through just how each tool best benefits the extrication process.

Powell said the fire department is always happy to assist Conway schools with training and that Friday’s course was a unique learning experience for area students.

CCC courses are open to Faulkner County students as well as schools that neighbor the county, including those in Bigelow, Heber Springs, Quitman, Rosebud, Bee Branch and Greers Ferry. This year, the EMT class is made up of 14 CHS students as well as two students from Mayflower High School, one Greenbrier High School student and one Vilonia High School student.

The auto extrication class is a requirement for EMT students before they can go on to take the national registry exam for certification.

Students learned several vehicle-rescue techniques, including how to quickly and safely knock out windows to help pull victims from vehicles and how to properly use the Jaws of Life to remove doors.

Eighteen-year-old Vilonia High School senior Bailee Jackson told the Log Cabin Democrat that she has enjoyed CCC’s EMT course, noting she plans to pursue a nursing career.

Highlights over the year would include working with emergency room staff and participating in the extrication training, she said.

“The best part [of this class] was taking clinicals and getting to work with ER staff and riding on an ambulance,” Jackson said.

While it was a little scary, Jackson said she enjoyed learning extrication techniques and had fun as she busted out the window of an old, crashed four-door vehicle that Steve’s Auto Center donated for the students to use.

As part of their CCC course, students have an upcoming skills evaluation on May 4.

After completing the CCC course students, students can become EMT certified by registering and passing the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians written exam.