Three-vehicle collision scenario in South Lake Tahoe gives responders practice

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The call went out about a school bus and two other vehicles being involved in a crash on Lake Tahoe Blvd. in South Lake Tahoe. One car was on its side, and another was pinned under the school bus, and there were injuries.

It was not an actual call for emergency help, but a training scenario conducted by South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue (SLTFR) so staff from their department and other area fire departments could get trained on the specialty equipment necessary to save lives. There are many variables in emergencies, from making sure those involved are safe and taken care of, to HAZMAT and fire threats.

Rescue personnel from several area agencies took part in the training held at Welcome's Auto Body who used already damaged vehicles in the demonstration.

SLTFR Firefighter Paramedic Marty Rider organized the training for his coworkers, those from Lake Valley Fire, and Calfire. Extrication exercises are important, along with practice with the other equipment used to safely remove victims. Rider brought in Jeff Gates from the I.N. Curtis Company, the department's emergency equipment supplier, to train the firefighters.

It was also a training exercise for the area agency press information officers, or PIOs. Getting information quickly and accurately out to parents, media, and the public is important during an emergency.

SLTFR also conducts highrise training in the casino corridor with Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District. Since the highest buildings in the area are the casinos, they provide good training areas.