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Accident Reconstruction News Article
National Forum Aims to Alert Rescue Personnel Professionals and Victims on
Hidden Dangers
BLOOMINGTON, Ill., June 21 /PRNewswire/ -- As the summer
driving season begins, and roadways become more congested, drivers may not
realize that the same safety features that keep them safe in an accident,
can be deadly to rescue workers. As auto manufacturers include required safety
mechanisms such as front and side air bags in new cars to help keep drivers
and passengers safe, vehicle rescue professionals must learn how to avoid
these potential hazards, in order to prevent personal injury and extricate
crash victims quickly and safely. To address growing concerns in the field
of auto extrication, State Farm® will host a nationwide educational program
for rescue professionals on Friday, June 23. The program builds on State Farm's
long history of supporting and generating good neighbor safety initiatives.
"Today, we find ourselves in an unusual situation.
Modern vehicle technology has evolved tremendously, but in doing so, has created
potentially dangerous challenges for first responders," said Earl Hyser,
superintendent of State Farm's Vehicle Research Facility (VRF). "Through
educational programming, State Farm reinforces the importance of automotive
safety and enables emergency professionals to perform their jobs without putting
their own safety at risk."
At State Farm's VRF, a lab where in-house automotive experts
thoroughly examine pre-and-post production vehicles, a team of researchers
carefully study new vehicles in the areas of design and construction. Through
their extensive research, the VRF is able to provide up-to-date information
on vehicle technology that pose potential threats and challenges to rescue
workers.
State Farm's VRF - in conjunction with the Illinois Fire Service
Institute and automotive extrication instructor, Ron Moore - will share a
wealth of automotive expertise and demonstrate proper extrication techniques
when "Auto Design & Extrication Forum 2006" is conducted live
from the VRF on June 23, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. CDT.
During the program, extrication simulations will give first
responders a taste of situations they may encounter in the field. Topics featured
during the program will include the design and construction of side impact
areas with high-strength materials which present difficulties to cut through,
potential hazards of dual stage airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners, and extrication
demonstrations -- topics that can directly affect an extrication and can put
the victim and the rescue professional at risk.
Fire department, EMS and other first responder units are highly
encouraged to participate in the two-hour lifesaving program.
About State Farm
State Farm® insures more cars than any other insurer in
North America and is the leading U.S. home insurer. State Farm's 17,000 agents
and 68,000 employees serve over 74 million auto, fire, life and health policies
in the United States and Canada. State Farm also offers financial services
products through State Farm Bank®. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance
Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is
ranked No. 22 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information,
please visit statefarm.com®
or in Canada statefarm.ca(TM).
Contact:
Kip Diggs / Krista Clark
State Farm Insurance / GolinHarris
(309) 766-8188 / (312) 729-4453
Kip.diggs.hvq4@statefarm.com
/ kclark1@golinharris.com
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Source: State Farm
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