Firefighters and towing crews train together in Sarnia

Accident scenes were set up Saturday around the parking lot at Preferred Towing in Sarnia so firefighters from around southwestern Ontario could practiced their skills alongside tow truck operators. The training session had firefighters moving between four scenarios involving freeing mannequins from crashes involving transport trucks, with the help of crews from Preferred Towing and [...]

Article content Accident scenes were set up Saturday around the parking lot at Preferred Towing in Sarnia so firefighters from around southwestern Ontario could practiced their skills alongside tow truck operators. The training session had firefighters moving between four scenarios involving freeing mannequins from crashes involving transport trucks, with the help of crews from Preferred Towing and Woodstock Tire Service. Recommended Videos “It gives the fire departments a chance to see a lot more tools in the toolbox” and “how we can utilize the towing companies in really difficult situations,” said Brad Goodhill, director of fire and emergency services for Warwick Township.

Being able to respond quickly at an incident is “timesaving, which turns to lifesaving, potentially,” he said. About 45 firefighters from departments in Essex, Lambton, Middlesex, South Huron and Elgin counties took part. All four of the training scenarios Saturday involved incidents towing companies have been called to, Goodhill said.

“We have a saying in the industry, ‘You never do in public what you haven’t practised in private,” said Gary Vandenheuvel who co-owns Preferred Towing with his spouse and son. “The fire departments have got a lot of great tools, but they’re limited when it comes to weight,” which is something towing companies are equipped to handle, he said. “Exercises like this help the fire departments understand our abilities and what to expect from us,” he said.

“And then we learn what they need.” Towing companies are “generally the fourth crew called out” to crashes, after police, fire and paramedics, and training opportunities like Saturday’s allow them to become familiar to each other’s abilities and needs, said Vandenheuvel who has worked in towing for 41 years, including the 35 years Preferred Towing has been in business. “It’s important to cross-train with all these guys so we can hopefully save a life, and we have over the years,” he said.

Hydraulic tool companies also took part in the sessions, Goodhill said. Originally, the training session was planned as part of a firefighting trade show held in January in Chatham-Kent but the training was postponed because of the weather. Goodhill said he attended a similar training session at Preferred Towing about 15 years ago.

“It was so informative, especially when everyone’s got the 400 series highways to deal with,” he said. “Forever, I’ve wanted to bring another one back. It’s nice to see it happen.”

Training is an ongoing priority for fire departments, Goodhill said. Ontario introduced mandatory firefighter certification in 2022 with an implementation period to give municipalities time to bring firefighters up to certification levels. “This is one more thing that helps get us there,” Goodhill said.

With files from Postmedia