Embedded Files
Located in the heart of Central Florida, Orange County spans over 1,003 square miles and is home to a vast network of heavily traveled interstates, highways, and local roads. With the county experiencing a net population growth of nearly 1,000 new residents each week, the region’s population is projected to reach 5.2 million by 2030. As the top tourist destination in the United States, Orange County welcomed a record-breaking 75 million visitors in 2024. This exponential growth and high traffic volume have led to a significant increase in motor vehicle accidents — including incidents involving patient entrapment.
In response to this rising demand, the Orange County Fire Rescue Department (OCFRD) has made significant investments to equip every suppression unit with state-of-the-art extrication tools. This ensures that both residents and visitors receive the highest level of rescue service when it matters most.
OCFRD Extrication by the numbers…
Total number of Auto Accident calls (2024): 13,189
Total number of Auto Accident with Entrapment calls (2024): 355
Avg. Annual Extrication Budget: $250,000+
History
Our history and commitment to innovation
Orange County Fire Rescue has long been recognized as a pioneer in vehicle extrication and rescue innovation. In the early 1990s, members of the Special Operations Squad Program launched the Car Buster video training series, which quickly gained national recognition for its hands-on, scenario-based instruction on extrication techniques. OCFRD members were also instrumental in the development of the step chock, a now-national standard tool used in vehicle stabilization to secure cars during rescue operations. Additionally, members of the department were instrumental in the invention the Pedi Immobilizer, a specialized pediatric immobilization device designed to safely secure young patients during extrication and transport. These innovations underscore OCFRD’s legacy of leadership in rescue services and its commitment to advancing firefighter training and public safety.
Engine Ops
Engine Companies
All 44 Engine Companies in OCFRD are equipped with a comprehensive set of tools designed to support rapid and efficient vehicle extrication. These include:
AMKUS ION Battery-Powered Hydraulic Tools:
IC320 Cutters
IS750 Spreaders with the ERT Tip Package
DeWalt Reciprocating Saws (x2)
AJAX Pneumatic Air Tool
GLAS-MASTER Windshield Removal Tool
Come-Along Portable Winch
Green Round Slings
Wood Cribbing
The AMKUS ION battery powered hydraulic rescue tools run on DeWalt Flexvolt batteries, which are also used by other pieces of equipment in the department, ensuring power compatibility and availability. By eliminating the need for external power units and hydraulic hoses, the AMKUS ION tools allow for faster deployment and more intuitive operation in high-pressure environments.
Aerial Ops
Truck Companies
OCFRD’s Truck Companies are versatile units with a specialized focus on technical rescue, including unstable vehicle extrication incidents. Their primary objectives are to stabilize the incident scene, ensure patient safety, and conduct rapid disentanglement.
All 11 Truck and Quint Companies are equipped with:
AMKUS ION Battery-Powered Hydraulic Tools:
IC320 Cutters
IS750 Spreaders with the ERT Tip Package
Holmatro V-Struts for vehicle stabilization
The Holmatro V-Struts enable personnel to quickly stabilize vehicles that have rolled onto their side or roof, allowing rescue teams to operate safely while extricating patients.
https://www.holmatro.com/en/rescue/vehicle-stabilization-strut-v-strut
Special Ops
Squad Companies
OCFRD operates as an all-hazards response agency, and its most complex rescue operations are managed by three Heavy Rescue Squad Companies. These Special Operations Units are strategically located to provide county-wide coverage and are equipped to handle the most demanding extrication scenarios.
Each Squad apparatus carries:
Hurst Edraulic Hydraulic Rescue Tools
S 799 E3 Cutters
SP 777 E3 Spreaders
R 521 E3 RAM
Paratech Acme Thread Struts
Paratech Maxiforce G2 Airbags
Paratech Multiforce Airbag
High-Lift Jacks, Floor Jack and Bottle Jacks
Expanded Wood Cribbing Complement
Personnel assigned to Squad Companies must possess Technician-level certifications in all technical rescue disciplines, including Vehicle and Machinery Rescue (VMR). They also undergo 12–24 hours of annual recertification training in each discipline to maintain peak operational readiness.
https://www.jawsoflife.com/rescue-products/e3
https://paratech.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/RSS-Brochure.pdf
https://paratech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Brochure-G2-Air-Lifting-Bags.pdf
https://paratech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Brochure-G2-Air-Lifting-Bags.pdf
Training
Training and Readiness
At OCFRD, extrication training begins on Day One. During recruit orientation, new members receive three full days of hands-on extrication instruction. Continued training includes:
Multi-Company Extrication Drills, conducted twice weekly, consisting of 4-hour training blocks covering a range of extrication scenarios.
Weekend Company-Level Drills, held throughout the year using donated vehicles at designated training sites or at local salvage yards.
This commitment to regular, scenario-based training ensures that OCFRD personnel remain proficient and prepared for any extrication situation they may encounter on the roadways of Orange County.
Ch 17 - Vehicle Extrication.pdfPictures
Google Sites
Report abuse