We had an opportunity to test the hydraulic extrication tools. For some of us this was a new experience. For others it was a good refreshment exercise. We first broke out the side windows using a special clicker tool; they easily shattered. Then we broke out the front windshield using axes. And finally the rear window using another tool. Two of us learned the hard way that gloves are required when breaking glass. we cut the top off using a big heavy pair of hydraulic scissors. This was a little slower process than I remember from previous exercises. We are going to be looking into an equipment “tune up” to help improve this step. Next we forcibly opened the doors using a big hydraulic spreader tool. This is an amazing tool that no door can defeat. It seems to be powerful enough to bend the frame of the car if necessary. The next step was to lift the steering wheel up and off of our trapped teddy bear. This was done with 2 hydraulic rams that were placed in each front door. This was a technique we learned from a trainer a few years ago. As you can see in the picture above; the entire car was lifted and bent upward during this step. In conclusion; we are probably not going to be the fastest fire department for this type of save; but we have the equipment and some basic training on “how to” do it. And we can cut, pry and bend and break a car in a variety of ways to free a trapped person.