Local fire departments receive extrication training

A couple of overturned and damaged vehicles along old Highway 81 and Refinery Road on Nov. 1 was nothing to be concerned about for passing motorists. The Comanche and Meridian fire departments were hosting a vehicle extrication class recently to receive some important training in helping to get people out of their cars during an accident.

The class is not inexpensive - it cost $4,500 - but a federal grant paid through the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association (OSFA) allowed the departments to put on the class.

Vehicles were brought in from Sellers Salvage for practice. The class was led by three OSFA trainers.

“It really was a good class,” said Comanche fire chief Scooter Bivins. We have four new volunteer firefighters and they said it was a great help to them. Now, when they come up to an accident scene, they will know how to perform their job instead of just being there.”

It was a 16-hour class that lasted the weekend. Lunch was proved by Tribe Pride Pizza in Comanche on Saturday and Burger King in Duncan on Sunday.

“We not only had firemen, but we had officers and reserve officers who were there to receive CLEET training,” Bivins said.

There were 26 participants, mostly from Comanche and Meridian, but also some from Fox and Dillard came.

Bivins said there is not much opportunity to host training in the area because of the expense. Most times they are having to travel out of the area to get the required training that is needed.