From Cribbing to Hydraulic Spreaders: Hinsdale Fire Drills on Advanced MVA Rescue Techniques

Hinsdale, NY - Firefighters with the Hinsdale Volunteer Fire Department wrapped up an intensive, three-week motor vehicle rescue training series Tuesday evening, bringing together apparatus familiarization, advanced cribbing stabilization, and heavy hydraulic extrication tool work in northern Onondaga County.

Across multiple evolutions culminating on September 8, department members systematically developed the specialized technical skills required to manage high-impact roadway collisions. The initial training blocks focused on physical cribbing deployment, lifting air bags, and mechanical stabilization struts before moving into apparatus familiarity featuring primary response pieces Rescue 5 and Tanker Pumper 6.

Tuesday's culminating session featured specialized outside instruction from Mitch Goldberg of JPB Fire Sales & Services. Goldberg worked directly with newer department personnel, delivering tactical instruction on modern vehicle rescue strategies, cutting angles, and purchase point mechanics using the department’s battery-operated Holmatro Combi tool. Firefighters then completed heavy cutting and spreading evolutions using their primary suite of AMKUS hydraulic rescue systems.

Department leadership highlighted the unique operational configuration of Rescue 5, an apparatus built under the direction of a committee led by Past Chief Robert Culkin. Designed specifically to overcome suburban daytime volunteer staffing challenges, Rescue 5 functions as both a heavy rescue and a pumper, carrying its own onboard centrifugal pump and 300 gallons of water to enable immediate fire attack or rescue line protection without waiting for a second engine company.