On Wed. June 18, 2014 , Mohegan Lake Volunteer Firefighters and Career Firefighters participated in vehicle extrication training at the Furnace Woods Station. The training took on an added dimension as Mohegan's Bravest tested the functionality of battery operated Hurst Tools, which was on demonstration from Hurst. During the training, firefighters used traditional hydraulic Hurst tools to perform extrication operations on one side of the vehicle and tested the battery operated Hurst tools on the other side. The battery operated tools were able to do the same tasks as the hydraulic tools such as cut posts, cut steering columns, pop doors, and roll dash boards. Overall, the battery operated tools functioned equally as the tradional hydraulic tools. The most notable benefit and change of the battery operated tools is its portability. The ability to take the tools down an embankment in the dark without the need to hook up hydraulic fluid lines was a benefit which was voiced by several firefighters. This battery operated equipment was only demonstrated as part of the fire district researching new technological advances in extrication equipment for the future.

Regarding extrication procedures:
1. Always do a scene size up. Be aware of fluids, electrical cables and any unsafe condition.
2. Make sure vehicle is stable by adding cribbing and releasing the air from the tires.
3. Cut power from electrical source.
4. Make face to face contact with the person who may be stuck in the car and provide psychological support. This is normally done by EMS personnel, however if firefighters are first on scene a firematic officer may provide this support or delegate someone.