Thoughts on Running an Extrication Competition

by  Alex & Linda MacDonald (Oct. 98)

Secure a host Fire Dept. and get a firm commitment from the membership.

Choosing a site:

a) need a large work area where gas, oil & glass can be spilled

b) indoor facilities needed for meetings, seminars, displays, washrooms & food

c) preferably close to reasonable hotel accommodations

d) accessible to the public (bleachers are a plus!)

e) space for RV's & tents is a plus

f) option to have all "LIMITED" evolutions in a ditch ??

g) indoor site not ideal due to excessive noise & fumes (even with fans)

Timing: Should be spring or early summer for Regionals. The International Competition is in the fall, so the winners of regional competitions need the summer to raise funds to attend that event.

Info & rules & TERC tool list should be mailed out to all interested Fire Depts. 6 months before the competition.

Preferred schedule: 

• Thursday evening: Registration, Meet & Greet, Seminar

• Friday: Competitions, Seminars

• Saturday :Competitions,   (with awards Sat. eve.)

• Sunday for traveling home.

Alternative: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, but awards Sunday eve is difficult for teams traveling home Sunday

(18 teams is the best size for a 2 day event)

 * Teams must send confirmation & non-refundable entrance fee & bio & group picture 3 months        before competition.

Opening & Closing Ceremonies:

Appropriate dress: team shirts or Fire Dept. uniforms.

STAFFING:

HEAD JUDGE :  Must be available at all times in the pits to answer questions (with assistance from                              Judges & Pit Boss). Verifies Pit ready and acceptable to next team.

JUDGES:  each pit needs a minimum of 3 judges (Or could be 2 judges & 1 shadow judge)

PIT CREW:  need experienced pit boss and at least 2 experienced pit crew members.

                  Machinery (see Function 5)

CLEAN-UP CREW: - 2 people familiar with extrication tools, to tear down scenarios & restore tools                                     to "ready  condition"

                                 - 2 sweepers (clean up fluid spills ,glass & auto parts)

TOOL BOSS:  responsible for tools provided as per each team's requirements consistent with T.E.R.C.'s tool list. Supplies gas for generator & heavy hydraulic tools as required.

SEQUESTER DRIVER:  -drives vehicle in which teams are sequestered

                                        -in radio contact with pit boss

SCORE-KEEPER:  minimum 1, with experience

TIME-KEEPER:  minimum 1, with experience

ALTERNATE SCORE/TIME KEEPER : 1 to assist,  spell  & be a  "go-fer"

                                    for score & time keeper.

EMCEE: to officiate at opening & closing ceremonies (& in Pits optional)

a) introduce speakers

b) advise all  re  agenda

c) re-confirm week-end agenda

d) introductions & assistance with awards

e) introduction of  teams  (from bios) as they enter pit area

 ** must have good working (pre-tested ) sound system for

each event, and cordless mic for symposium presenters.

Show Chairperson & Committee:

         Show chairperson should oversee, co-ordinate & schedule all aspects of competition.

       Committee Members Functions:

Function 1 :   SITE :  arrange for site & all necessities  (e.g. power to the pits)

                              - cafeteria, washrooms, lighting, fencing, security

                               -scorekeepers & timekeepers need tables, chairs, shelter

                                -stopwatches, score sheets, clipboards & pens

                                -critique area: room or tent, must be private (with water)

                                 -sequester area: PRIVATE , hidden from view, near washrooms

Function  2: VENDORS:  Contact & get commitments from vendors re attending & all their requirements. Find out what financial & other sponsorship  (e.g. prizes ) is in the  deal  from them.

Function  3: SPONSORS: This requires a salesman type of person with excellent people skills & salesmanship abilities, who can contact a wide variety of sponsors & obtain firm commitment from them. The sponsors 'expectations must be verified, i.e. names on signs, etc.    Confirm date prior to event when funds will be available , with good contact name & number.

       Consider approaching fire truck manufacturers & antique buffs for displays.

       Solicit support from political officials & government agencies

       Use above as presenters & brief guest speakers 

Function  4: ARRANGING FOR CARS:  This member must get a good solid commitment for at least an adequate number of cars which is at least 1 per scenario.

He must arrange for the delivery & prepping (remove oil, anti-freeze, batteries & gas tanks) of cars to be used. This should be complete at least 2 days before event.

All cars should be intact, with working doors, all windows in place, & as many as possible with 4 wheels. It is very useful to have at least 1 or 2 cars in running order to be used as blockers.   Arrangements must be made for removal of cars after competition is over, with the understanding that several may have flat tires by then.

Function 5: ARRANGE FOR PIT CREW MACHINERY:

        Must have:  a) 1 heavy-duty forklift with 6-ft. forks to carry cars to & from pits

                              (Could be made available to whoever will be prepping  cars)

                            b) 1 very large bucket loader or Hi-Hoe with sufficient strength to

                                 crush cars as required

                            c) 1 smaller forklift or bobcat to assist in moving cars & moving

                                 props to & from pits            

      Note:All machines MUST be driven by operators who are  extremely familiar

                 with the workings of their machines.  Machines must be in excellent

                 working order, & come with sufficient fuel for the duration of the event.

                             d) sequester vehicle: 6-passenger & driver, preferably lights & siren

Function 6:  PROPS:    Props needed for event:

a) old school bus or large truck  &/or boat , &/or airplane , all of which can be

damaged. Bus & truck must be movable , in running order if possible

(boat may be on a trailer)

b) 2 or 3 axle car trailer would be useful

c) wrecked bicycle, motorcycle, snowmobile

d) at least 2 life-sized mannequins

e) at least 1 child mannequin

f) 1 baby car seat (to be damaged)

g)  at least 2 jersey barriers

h)  hydro poles, hydro wires, transformer

i)  2 inch diameter steel post

j)  highway road sign & post

k)  large tree with branches

l)  section of cement culvert

m)  set of dual wheels from transport truck

n)   aluminum street light pole

o) empty gas can & 1 empty propane tank

**  all props may be damaged in competition

Pit Crew will require: 

•  a fire axe

• wrecking bar

•  J-hook chain

• 2 pieces 8x8 cribbing

• 1 - 3 to 4 foot 4 x 4

• 1 - 4 foot   2" pipe

Function 7:  COMMUNICATION:    This person must acquire the sound systems for the opening & closing ceremonies  & seminars, (& maybe the Pits).

 Also:   6 to 10 radios  (with chargers & spare batteries)  for pit crew , pit boss,

            sequester driver , depending on size of site.

            bristol board & markers to make signs for total event 

            e.g. team schedules, schedules of seminars, final results (after presentations)

For seminars:

            overhead projectors, screens. t.v., vcr , tables , chairs    

            pad-board & marker pens, or chalk board & chalk, cordless mic for presenters       

Arrange for: team certificates &/or trophies as required & T-shirts, hats, pins,  ( purchase & delivery)

       GET MEDIA PARTICIPATION !!!

Function 8 : HOSPITALITY AT SITE:  

Arrange for coffee breaks & lunches for judges, pit crew, score & time-keepers  

Suggestion: sandwiches, doughnuts, coffee, pop, water 

Arrange for water  &/or Gatorade for teams & judges in critique area

Function 9: EVENING HOSPITALITY / ENTERTAINMENT

You may wish to have a hospitality room at the place of lodging if funds permit

This is  not  a requirement

Function 10:  CHAUFFEUR SERVICE:  pick-up at airport & deliver to airport judges & other officials as agreed to by committee.  Also transportation of judges, pit crew etc.  to & from event site

Function 11: TOOLS : pick-up & delivery of  adequate cribbing & tools to be installed in pit area

Function 12:  SECRETARY /  TREASURER

Draws up budget for event, (assisted by entire committee), & collects all funds received, and pays all bills.

All committee members must submit expected expenses & foreseeable revenues if appropriate.

Review past financial statements to project budget requirements.

Investigate charitable status through your municipal office to facilitate giving tax receipts when fund-raising.

Write to confirm team acceptances, advise agenda & available facilities.

NOTE:  Committee members may take on more than one function, as there is  some inter-action between functions.