Copyright 2006 Post-Standard
All Rights Reserved.
By NADIA ALVARADO
The Post-Standard (Syracuse, New York)
About 20 volunteer firefighters practiced rescuing victims from cars Tuesday night in an Eaton junkyard.
The firefighters cut through cars at Dutcher’s, an automotive recycling center, using hydraulic tools and saws.
Jim Dutcher said his family’s business has been donating training resources to the Morrisville Fire Department for more than 10 years.
When the Fire Department would ask for training donations, Dutcher’s cars were taken to a location and then brought back after the training was over.
“It’s easier to provide a place for them and not have to transport,” he said. “I think it works out good for them, too.”
Dutcher’s donates about 30 cars annually to fire departments.
Morrisville fire Chief Rick Gorton said he appreciates Dutcher’s continued generosity and support for firefighters.
“Jim’s always been very involved with the community, and not just Morrisville, but the entire county,” Gorton said. “I can call (Dutcher) up and say, “Hey, I got Jaws of Life we need to practice with,’ and he just says, “Come on over.’ When we get there, he has cars lined up for us and picks up the mess afterward.”
Gorton said practicing getting victims out of cars is especially important because the Morrisville department handles many crashes.
The Fire Department responded to 57 crashes last year in Morrisville, north Eaton and parts of Nelson, Gorton said.
The firefighters have responded to seven accidents so far this year.