Swansea, Mass. — Oct. 11 — Members of the Swansea Fire Department this week conducted an intensive extrication-training drill simulating a vehicle pinned under a tractor-trailer. The scenario required crews to practise using pneumatic lifting airbags, struts and cribbing for stabilization, and hydraulic rescue tools to access a trapped victim.

Department staff raised the trailer off the vehicle during the drill by deploying airbags underneath it. After that, they employed stabilization struts and cribbing to "capture" the lift and stop the load from moving. The crews then simulated use of a “Jaws of Life” style cutter to access the trapped occupant.