CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — With the holidays in full effect, the Corpus Christi Fire Department is making sure its first responders are prepared should a major accident happen on local roadways.
Firefighters do a lot more than just putting out fires, and that was in full effect Monday as the department held an auto-extrication training to give veterans and rookies hand-on experience with skills that could come into play during the holiday season.
According to both TxDOT and AAA Texas, this time of year is the busiest on the road, as thousands travel to visit with family and friends. The Texas Department of Public Safety said 420 fatalities were due to a motor vehicle accident in December 2022.
Officials said Monday’s exercise is just one way the department aims to live up to its “Stay ready so you don't have to get ready,” mantra.
"Most firefighters, most first responders, will see things in their lifetime that most people don't want to see,” said battalion chief Jim DeVisser. “It's a tragedy for the families that are involved. We hate to see it, but we also know that if it does happen, we want to be prepared to respond in the most appropriate manner."
This type of training is done multiple times a year, officials said, but both new hires, as well as more experienced firefighters, all were able to come together Monday to practice with the tools they normally don’t use on a day-to-day basis.
"We have a lot of younger firefighters that are in the department now, and it gives them a chance to test their skills and learn new skills in an environment that allows them to make mistakes and there not be any real repercussions for that,” DeVisser said. “So that when we do show up at an accident that requires us to respond quickly and efficiently, it's not the first time that they lay their hands on the tools."
New firefighter Rebecca Johnson participated in Monday’s training. She said it’s just one way the department helps its firefighters, EMTs and paramedics learn to work together as one unit, no matter their experience level.
"Being new has been great because of where I'm at,” said Johnson. “I'm at Station No. 3, so a lot of the guys on my crew -- my C shift -- I'm very thankful for them because they make sure that we know the job so that we can perform at the best level which, at the end of the day, gives our patients the best care."