PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
In 1998, the City of Fairfield, California experienced 459 traffic crash-related injuries and fatalities. According to data from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), Fairfield ranked 23rd out of 84 cities of similar size statewide in total traffic crashes per thousand vehicle miles traveled. The Fairfield Fire Department responds to these traffic collisions within a 36-square mile service area surrounding the city. The response area includes two interstate and one State Highway, intersecting the city. Fire department personnel were responsible for responding to motor vehicle crashes from a single station, with one 20 year-old set of Hurst Jaws of Life. Because of its age, this equipment was prone to mechanical failure, and its heavy weight caused back injuries to firefighters and emergency response personnel. The location of the equipment at a single station also resulted in 5 to 15 minute response delays, when crash injuries occurred in the districts of Fairfield's four other stations.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
In order to reduce the number and severity of motor vehicle crash-related injuries and fatalities, the Fairfield Fire Department developed the Engine Company Extrication Equipment program in 1998. Program objectives included the following:

• Decreasing extrication time (from arrival at the crash site to transport) by 33 percent, from 15 minutes to 10 minutes

• Reducing response time (from collision to hospital treatment) by 12 percent, from 23 minutes to 18 minutes

• Offering firefighters education and training in the use of the new extrication equipment

• Reporting data to the OTS regarding new traffic safety events or programs, and numbers of crash victims rescued from serious injury or death by the new extrication equipment

• Presenting four extrication equipment demonstrations at local high schools

• Preparing a press conference to help kick-off the program, and press releases to inform the public about successful rescues using the new extrication equipment

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
Using grant funding provided by OTS, the Fairfield Fire Department purchased new hydraulic and electrical extrication equipment, and placed it in service at three of the city's five fire stations. The older Hurst Jaws of Life remained with the rescue squad at one of the stations. Representatives from the equipment vendors provided training to career and volunteer firefighters in the operation of the hydraulic lift and Sawsall rescue tools, as well as The Anatomy of New Vehicles. The Fairfield Fire and Police Departments collaborated to provide the following demonstrations of equipment capabilities:

• At Fairfield City Hall, a demonstration was conducted for city employees and council members, in conjunction with a Life Safety event

• A demonstration was held at a City of Fairfield Council meeting, to provide maximum exposure to city residents

• Five demonstrations of the new equipment and its capabilities were performed in selected schools in each of the five fire station districts

RESULTS
During 1999, the City of Fairfield Fire Department Engine Company Extrication program achieved the following impressive results:

• A total of 75 career and volunteer fire department personnel received training in the anatomy of new vehicle construction, and the proper care and use of the newly purchased vehicle extrication equipment

• In all, 800 students, city employees, council members and other Fairfield residents attended 7 traffic safety presentations and vehicle extrication demonstrations

• Average extrication time was reduced from 15 minutes, to 8 minutes 20 seconds

NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION

WINTER 2001