Extrication calls are increasing

Thursday, March 1, 2007

SIKESTON -- Safer car designs have resulted in a rising number of extrication calls for the Sikeston Department of Public Safety Fire Division.

"People will have car wrecks," said Fire Division Commander Jim Hailey. "The best way to make cars safe is for the car to absorb the energy."

While vehicles that crumple up protect passengers from impacts, they also require extrication as doors and windows often won't open following an accident.

Hailey recalled seeing the results of accidents with older cars not designed to absorb the impacts: "The people were mangled," he said.

In 2006, the fire division had 61 extrications not related to fires, 54 from vehicles and seven non-vehicle extrications.

In 2005, there were 49 total extrications, 40 from vehicles; and in 2004 there were 48 vehicle extrications and eight non-vehicle extrications.

Extrications spiked in 2003 with a total of 96.

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