West Chilton and Isabella fire departments held a mutual training yesterday for extrication and patient rescue in responding to a motor vehicle accident.

A representative from the North American Fire Equipment Company instructed the two departments on new equipment that West Chilton Fire Department recently purchased including air bags capable of lifting several tons.

The training included a classroom station at West Chilton Station 1 on County Road 42 and field training at South Calera Towing’s yard where they were allowed to use several cars for training purposes.

They simulated a car that had been involved in a rollover wreck. The departments were taught to secure the vehicle so that it wouldn’t roll over or move while they were rescuing a trapped victim.

In using the air packs, the departments learned how to properly lift a car using the air bags so it wouldn’t roll away.

At the end of the training, firefighters held a training session with their extrication tools.