The drill, which took place using a fiberglass-shelled bus tipped on its side, provided firefighters with real-world practice in handling complex rescue scenarios involving large vehicles.

The bus used in the exercise was donated to Brown County and made available to the New Ulm Fire Department specifically for training purposes.

Jack Volz, instructor and owner of Safety and Security Consultation Specialists, LLC (SASCS), led the training. He emphasized that buses pose unique challenges compared to standard vehicles.

“Buses are much different than a normal car,” Volz said. “This one had a full fiberglass shell, which requires different cutting techniques. The seats, the structure, and even the orientation of the vehicle–especially when it’s on its side–change how we have to approach getting patients out.”

New Ulm firefighter Justin Beranek cuts through the emergency door of the bus during extrication training.

Volz said standard openings like doors and windows become difficult to access when a bus is tipped. “In situations like this, you have to create your own openings,” he said.

The training gave New Ulm firefighters a chance to work with tools they hadn’t used before on this type of scenario.

“They did a good job,” Volz said. “They learned a lot and adapted well to the challenges.”

This kind of hands-on experience helps prepare emergency responders for the unpredictable nature of real-life rescues, especially when it comes to large vehicle accidents.

Instructor Jack Volz briefs New Ulm firefighters on the objectives and techniques for the bus extrication training, emphasizing the unique challenges of rescuing passengers from a tipped bus.

Firefighters practice extrication techniques on a bus tipped on its side, working to safely remove a mock patient during hands-on rescue training.

New Ulm firefighters carefully move a simulated patient from the bus, practicing safe and effective extrication techniques during the training drill.