Technology at AFAC16 aims to save lives

The AFAC16 powered by INTERSCHUTZ conference will showcase the latest firefighting and emergency rescue technologies. This includes car crash rescue equipment, helicopter drones and a water turbine mounted on a robot bulldozer.

The Australasian Road Rescue Organisation (ARRO) will demonstrate two severe road crash rescue simulations, including the removal of the side of a vehicle and the roof using tools like the ‘jaws of life’ and a range of hydraulic spreaders, cutters and manual air tools.

With over 1200 road fatalities on Australian roads each year, as well as more than 400 in New Zealand, the expertise of emergency responders to mitigate risk and care for individuals within the vehicle is essential.

Mark Roche, president of ARRO, noted that emergency rescue techniques have changed in the past decade and as a consequence, events such as AFAC16 are critical in bringing the emergency response community together to share knowledge.

“Vehicle design has seen huge developments in recent years, including the strength of the steel, force absorption and advances in safety technology including air bags and seatbelts, that all have an impact on road rescues. This is why we continue to work very closely with car manufacturers to understand the impacts these developments have on road safety and necessary techniques required for road rescues,” Roche said.

“It is vital emergency road rescuers across Australia have the necessary education, training and tools to perform road crash extractions safely and quickly. AFAC16 powered by INTERSCHUTZ provides the opportunity for ARRO to share the latest vehicle rescue research and techniques with Australia’s emergency sector.”

In addition, emergency managers will witness live demonstrations of new firefighting technologies, including virtual fire training using smoke and special screens, and a fire-retardant solution that drops solar panels voltage to zero, thereby removing the risk of explosion.

Some of the innovations on display include the Westpac Little Ripper Shark Detection Drone, a remote operated fire extinguishing turbine mounted on a crawler vehicle, a high-performance off-road fire truck fitted with self-protection features and a firefighting turntable ladder.

AFAC16 powered by INTERSCHUTZ is open from Wednesday, 31 August to Thursday, 1 September 2016 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

For more information visit: www.afacconference.com.au.

Image credit: ©iStockphoto.com/Svengine