Earlier this week I took a quick trip down to Bowling Green in Northwest Ohio to teach my New Vehicle Technology class at the State Fire School at Bowling Green State University. I stopped off at the hotel to meet up with the Heavy Rescue Class Instructors and quickly realized that the Instructors are not just some of the top instructors in Ohio but heavy hitters from Indiana, New York, and Florida to name a few. When you see Mike Ciampo, Ron Smith, JJ Cassetta, it has the flavor of a mini FDIC.
After setting up in the classroom we headed over for the opening ceremonies. A large family was seated in the front row, it was the family of Ralph Zimmerman. Zimmerman volunteered in the fire service for 63 and was active up to his death in 2014. In addition, Zimmerman is credited with significant contributions to the fire service and was the longest serving chief of the Christianburg Volunteer Fire Department. Zimmerman was active for 63 of the department’s 66 year history. With 5 of his 7 kids getting into the family business in fire service his passion must have rubbed off.
The classroom presentation went great and after lunch a gasoline tanker was brought for a quick overview of gasoline tankers. The driver went over many features of the trailer that would help rescuers on scene of an accident that involved a gasoline tanker.
Training
2022 Ford Maverick: Vehicle-Specific Body Structure
The 2022 Ford Maverick loaned to the Hurst folks was the star of the extrication show at FDIC. The Maverick was no match for the Hurst tools and

Ford Maverick
The 2022 Ford Maverick loaned to the Hurst folks was the star of the extrication show at FDIC. The Maverick was no match for the Hurst tools and the man that makes these vehicles available, Dennis Lark, was pleased with the destruction. The Maverick is available as an ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicle and an FHEV (Full Hybrid Electric Vehicle). Below is an image from Ford’s 2022 Maverick Hybrid Emergency Response Guide.
If you notice, the Hybrid battery pack is on the passenger (RHS) of the vehicle. If you take a look at the image below, you can see the rocker on the RHS is reinforced to protect the battery pack. You can find more information about the different steels used in the rockers and floor pan here.
A-Pillar (Hurst Booth FDIC 2022)
B-Pillar (Hurst Booth FDIC 2022)
More Pictures
Training
Object on a Vehicle

An object on a Vehicle
A simple training scenario that only requires a vehicle (that you do not need to cut, yet) and an object to lift. Great objects include large tree sections, utility poles, and concrete pipes. These objects can be easily found in most cities, maybe even in your Department of Public Works yard.
Take a look at the scenario that Connecticut Custom Fire Training LLC. put together a month ago at one of their training classes.
Training
York County Vehicle Technician Class 2021

York County Vehicle Technician Class 2021
Pictures (by John E. Burruss)