Published September 28. 2023 12:01PM
By LOU WHEELAND
Special to The Press
Members of the Upper Macungie Police Department were introduced to basic rescue techniques by township fire officials on Aug. 14 and 22.
The goal of the training was to introduce the officers to rescue tools and how they are used in a vehicle rescue.
As police are usually the first to arrive on the scene of a vehicle crash, with this introduction, they can begin very basic rescue techniques before arrival of rescue apparatus.
They are not expected to use power rescue equipment, unless directed by a trained rescue firefighter.
Usually arriving before the fire apparatus is one of the Upper Macungie Township fire safety inspectors, Jamie Keenhold or Keith Richard or Fire Commissioner Peter D. Christ.
They drive a truck that has numerous basic rescue tools which can begin a rescue and involve a police officer.
Training was provided by Christ and Ray Henry, ESI Equipment Inc., representing Holmatro Rescue Tools and a retired Bethlehem City firefighter.
PRESS PHOTOS BY LOU WHEELAND Upper Macungie police were introduced to basic rescue techniques on Aug. 14 and 22 at Yocum Towing and Recovery. Township Fire Inspector Keith Richards, Police Officer Steve Kress, Police Lt. Cory Reader, Fire Inspector Jamie Keenhold, Patrol Officer Jack Sassaman, Patrol Officer Kyle Wehr, Fire Commissioner Peter D. Christ. Police Sgt. Dathan Schlegel and ESI Instructor Ray Henry took part in the class.
Upper Macungie Fire Commissioner Peter D. Christ demonstrates cribbing a car for stabilization to Upper Macungie police during an introduction to basic rescue techniques class Aug. 14 at Yocum Towing and Recovery.
Upper Macungie Police Sgt. Dathan Schlegel receives hands-on experience with a rescue tool during an introduction to basic rescue techniques class Aug. 14 at Yocum Towing and Recovery. ESI Instructor Ray Henry monitors Schlegel's progress.
ESI Equipment Rescue Instructor Ray Henry watches as Upper Macungie Police Officer Kyle Wehr uses a rescue tool at the introduction to basic rescue class at Yocum Towing and Recovery.
Upper Macungie Police and fire inspectors introduced to basic rescue techniques were Patrol Officers Jack Sassaman, Steve Kress, Kyle Wehr; ESI Equipment Instructor Ray Henry, Police Sgt. Dathan Schlegel, Lt. Cory Reader, Fire Inspector Jamie Keenhold, Fire Commissioner Peter D. Christ and Fire Inspector Keith Richards.
Patrol Officer Josh Forrester uses a rescue tool to breach a window during the introduction to basic rescue class on Aug. 22 at Yocum Towing and Recovery. Instructor Ray Henry monitors his progress.
Fire Inspector Jamie Keenhold demonstrates using a firefighting Halligan bar to clear a car window of glass during the introduction to basic rescue class.
Upper Macungie police were introduced to basic rescue techniques Aug. 22 at Yocum Towing and Recovery. Attending were Trexlertown firefighter Josh Gorr; Police Officers Rod Djevharian, Rob Sinko, Joe Forrester and Ryan Mertus, ESI Rescue Instructor Ray Henry; Fire Commissioner Peter D. Christ, Fire Inspector Keith Richards, Police Lt. Cory Reader and Fire Inspector Jamie Keenhold.
