Rescue Assist App
The folks at Mercedes-Benz stepped up the game again. A couple years ago Mercedes-Benz added QR codes in two locations of the vehicles that can be scanned with a smart and useful information for rescuers was displayed on the screen. The Rescue Assist App developed by Mercedes-Benz provides emergency services at the scene of an accident quick access to the rescue cards for the various types of vehicle via a smartphone or tablet. What really stands out is the new update supplies three-dimensional views as well as augmented reality imagery.
The updated app is a repository of rescue cards for all Mercedes-Benz passenger cars and vans, as well as for some models from Fuso, one of Daimler Trucks’ commercial vehicle brands. The digital rescue data sheets can often be an invaluable source of information, helping the emergency services to free passengers quickly and safety from vehicles that have been involved in accidents. The rescue cards show an overview of safety-critical components such as airbags, batteries and fuel lines. In the case of electric and hybrid vehicles they also show all high-voltage components. With the help of the three-dimensional views, rescue teams are able to work out even more quickly the best and safest place to apply cutters. The 3D-models can be freely rotated and scaled up or down within the app. Augmented reality images bring further benefits: all the components of the vehicle are rendered in precise, photorealistic detail in images that, to a wide extent, reflect what can be seen of the actual damaged vehicle – a great advantage for the rescue services at the scene of the accident.
Mercedes-Benz Rescue Assist App
A further advantage of the Mercedes-Benz Rescue Assist App is that it is not necessary to have online access. The app also functions offline, thus ensuring that no time is lost during a rescue. Every new Mercedes-Benz, smart and Fuso is fitted as standard with two QR codes, affixed in a clearly visible position on the B-pillars and inside the fuel filler flap. As soon as the QR code is scanned with the camera of the smartphone or tablet, the relevant rescue card will open up in the Rescue Assist App. Owners of older vehicles can arrange for the appropriate QR code to be retrofitted by their Mercedes-Benz Service Partner.
The Rescue Assist App includes details of all Mercedes-Benz passenger car models built since 1990, along with Mercedes-Benz vans since 1996 and all smart models built since 1998. On the commercial vehicle front, Fuso Canter 467 models from the year 2005 onwards and Canter 468 from 2013 are also included. The app, which is constantly being updated, is available in 24 languages for both iOS and Android devices. It can be downloaded free of charge.
Currently, the App is only available in the app store in Germany. I contacted the folks at Mercedes-Benz and they told me the app will be demoed at this year’s Commercial Vehicles IAA in Hannover. The IAA will start on September 22nd and hopefully the app will be available at the same time. However, introduction of the App within the U.S. might be a little later. We will keep you posted.
York County Vehicle Technician Class 2021
Pictures (by John E. Burruss)
Heavy Rescue
Large Animal Rescue
Working with their past experince, the Patterson Fire Department’s completed their 4th horse rescue in the past several years.
Horse Rescue
Per the post from the Patterson Fire Department’s Facebook page:
At 0732, 25th of August 2021, the Patterson fire department was dispatched for a public assist to a local farm. Patterson’s heavy rescue, 22-6-1, arrived on scene and found a 31-year-old male horse, named “Dozer”, in distress. He had apparently fallen and managed to get himself stuck between a rock and a fence line. At first, the crew attempted to assist the horse in getting up by shifting his position. It became apparent that additional equipment was going to be needed to help Dozer out since he had become too exhausted to get up on his own. After some discussion, it was established that the best plan of action was to use a Paratech bipod system. It would be used as an artificial high directional with TU-32 griphoist’s assistance to lift the horse up. With a lot of sweat and effort, the crew was able to lift the horse up onto his feet. After some much-needed fluids and rest, we were happy to see Dozer trot away, unassisted.
An interesting fact, this is Patterson Fire Department’s 4th horse rescue in the past several years, all with successful outcomes.
Photos below from Andrew Akin
Bowling Green State University State Fire School Certified Rescue Tech
These courses are NFPA compliant and covers all six disciplines of technical rescue operations. Students will utilize the latest and greatest equipment and will put learned skills to the test in intense hands-on scenarios.
General information on the Certified Rescue Technician Program.
Class Schedule
- Rope Rescue Technician
- Water Craft Ops / Swift Water Ops
- Confined Space Technician
- Vehicle & Machinery
- Trench Rescue Technician
- Structural Collapse Operations
Rescue Methods BGSU 2021 rescue tech series with structural collapse ops.
