Though it may seem a rare event, Carter County Rescue Squad Captain Ed McNeil said between his crews and Elizabethton firefighters, they have to extricate a person from a vehicle about twice weekly. This may not involve completely removing the top of the car, but it may mean removing glass or prying off doors.
For this reason, Elizabethton firefighters spend three days every two years getting certified in extrication. This year, OmniSource hosted them, and Deputy Chief Rusty Barnett said they went above and beyond to provide and position the vehicles needed for the drills.
The crews practiced removing windows, windshields, roofs, doors, and other obstructions like rear view mirrors from a car on its wheels, on its side and on its top.

Barnett said they encounter a variety of situations, so crews have to be prepared to get an accident victim out safely and efficiently. Even if the car is on its four wheels, victims complaining of back or neck pain must often be extricated, said Barnett.
John Burleson, rescue coordinator with the Rescue Squad, organized the training.
“We’re fortunate to work hand-in-hand with the Rescue Squad; they’re the best around,” said Barnett.