Anthony Vigil, government sales representative for Frank’s Supply Co. Inc. on DP Road uses a backhoe to crush part of a vehicle to be used by Los Alamos Fire Department for upcoming extrication with crush syndrome training. Crush Syndrome. Crush syndrome is a medical condition characterized by significant systemic symptoms resulting from toxins released by crushed muscle tissue. Crush injuries are commonly seen in severe trauma, and include direct soft tissue destruction, bony injury and limb ischemia. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
The Los Alamos Reporter was surprised at how many time a vehicle had to be struck by a backhoe bucket to impose the amount of damage requested by LAFD. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
LAFD Training Capt. Aaron McNiff points to where he wants backhoe operator Anthony Vigil to strike a vehicle with the backhoe bucket. Frank’s Supply Co. store manager Brian Chavez told the Los Alamos Reporter the company is always more than happy to help first responders in the community. ‘It doesn’t seem like they get help they need sometimes and we are happy to supply them with a forklift, a backhoe or whatever we can to help out. These are the people who will be there when someone needs to be extricated from a vehicle so we do what we can to help,’ Chavez said. Frank’s rents all kinds of equipment from hand tools to backhoes and boom lifts. They are located at 268 DP Road in Los Alamos, (505) 661-1100. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Los Alamos Fire Department Emergency Medical Services Training Capt. Manny Pacheco and Training Capt. Aaron McNiff observe as a backhoe crushes a vehicle to be used in upcoming training. Crews from each firehouse ‘rescue’ a mannequin from inside the vehicle using the jaws of life and other means. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Los Alamos Fire Department Training Capt. Aaron McNiff places a mannequin in the front seat of a vehicle destined to be crush by a backhoe so that it can be used for upcoming extrication training as LAFD continues its training and refreshers despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com