Courtesy photo Local volunteer firefighters get vehicle extrication training at the Escanaba Township Fire Department’s Besse Fire Hall

ESCANABA — Local volunteer firefighters are getting life-saving training thanks to a local company and the emergency response firm that trains its employees.

The Verso Escanaba Mill’s quarterly Emergency Response Team (ERT) training is provided by Emergency Response Services Inc. (ERS) Trainer Rob Doremus. Over the last couple weeks, Doremus has volunteered to teach vehicle extrication training at the Escanaba Township Fire Department’s Besse Fire Hall for local volunteer fire departments, free of charge.

Vehicle extrication is defined as the process of removing a vehicle from around a person who has been involved in a motor vehicle collision, when conventional means of exit are impossible or inadvisable. A delicate approach is needed to minimize injury to the victim during the extrication. This operation is usually accomplished by using chocks and bracing for stabilization and powered rescue tools and equipment, including the Jaws of Life.

Over the last couple years, Doremus has been assisting the local fire departments with detailed training in the evenings after providing 8 and 16 hour training session at Verso’s Escanaba Mill.

“Having been a volunteer myself since 1966, I can say what you do for this area is greatly respected and appreciated,” Doremus told team members. “Always an honor to provide training to those who donate their valuable time to the community.”

ERS, headquartered in Fort Payne, Alabama, has provided emergency response training at Verso’s Escanaba Mill for over 25 years, focusing on industrial firefighting, confined space and high-angle rescue, hazardous material response and incident command. Many of the mill’s ERT members also donate their time to local fire departments. Approximately 80 total emergency responders and fire fighters attended the extrication training classes, representing Escanaba, Ford River, Masonville, Ensign, Nahma, Brampton, Harris and Spaulding Townships as well as the City of Gladstone and Escanaba. Pete’s Pick N’ Pull and Gene’s Towing and Recovery donated the extrication vehicles and Verso Corporation provided pizza for Tuesday night’s event.