Students in RTC demonstration

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS) recreated a road traffic accident recovery scene for Motor Vehicle students at East Sussex College Eastbourne this week (2^nd October).

The ESFRS Red Watch team, led by Watch Manager Steve Courtnage, demonstrated the structural integrity of cars to the Level 1 and Level 2 Motor Vehicle students, by re-creating a rescue scene using a scrap car at the College.

Students were shown the tools used by firefighters to rescue casualties from crashed vehicles. Students then had the chance to try out the equipment for themselves.

Mark Streeter, Lecturer in Motor Vehicle at East Sussex College, said, “We get rid of our scrap cars each year, so we invited ESFRS in to lead this demo using the old vehicles, turning it into an effective teaching session at the same time. This has been a great opportunity for our students to learn first-hand about modern cars and also opens their eyes to some important road safety issues.”

Motor Vehicle student, Kessia Lynn, 30, played the role of a paramedic in the re-enactment, sitting in the vehicle as the ESFRS team removed the roof. “This was a really interesting experience,” Kessia comments. “They stabilised the car, which we were then asked to try and move. It was impossible! When they were cutting their way in, all we felt were the vibrations; it was so stable!”

The ESFRS team explained to students the challenges created by modern vehicles, with the event serving as a road safety awareness class as well as a mechanical one. “Assessing the accident scene is critical,” Steve told the Motor Vehicle students. “You are desperate to reach the casualty but scene safety is vital too. We are casualty based but we also need to think from an evidence point of view for the police. If we don’t need to disconnect the battery of a vehicle then we won’t, as the police can determine if their headlights were on or if they were indicating at the time of the accident… There are so many things we need to consider.”

The unfortunate facts being, one in four 18-24 year olds (23%) crash within two years of passing their driving test.

Young drivers (17-24 years old) aged 17-19 only make up 1.5% of UK licence holders, but are involved in 9% of fatal and serious crashes where they are the driver.

On Tuesday 6^th November, college students are invited to a presentation at the Kings Conference & Exhibition Centre, part of the ‘Safe Drive, Stay Alive’ (SDSA) campaign. Students will hear live testimony from real fire fighters, police officers, ambulance crew, NHS staff and bereaved families, mixed with a fictional scenario on film.

If any students would like to attend please contact Susan Taylor – Water & Road Safety Co-ordinator ESFRS: Road.safety@esfrs.org or call 01323 462426 for more information.