Metro Atlanta firefighters conference hosts vehicle rescue drills

Nearly 100 fire personnel from 39 jurisdictions in six Southern states will converge on North Fulton County this week to practice rescues from what conference materials describe as “some of the largest and most dangerous vehicles on the road,” among other situations.

Vehicle, water and specialized rescue techniques are the subjects of the 5th annual Metro Atlanta Extrication and Technical Rescue Conference by the Metro Atlanta Fire Officers Association. The event takes place Friday and Saturday at the Roswell-Alpharetta Public Safety Training Center.

Firefighters will learn advanced extrication techniques from newer-technology vehicles, moving vehicles and vehicles lodged against objects; extrication from big commercial vehicles like trucks and buses; “technical rescues” involving ropes, restricted passage, limited visibility and water hazard operations; and leadership issues.