Thanks to the generosity of a Merrill business, local firefighters are better prepared for motor vehicle incidents.
Jay Koebe of KB Body Shop in Merrill sponsored the training on Saturday which featured Butch Lysholm of OAIRE Inc. in Edina, MN. Lysholm is known throughout the Midwest for his teaching of emergency responders for responses to vehicle crashes and fires.
Over 20 firefighters from the Pine River, Tomahawk and Hewitt fire departments participated in the training which was held at the Pine River Fire Station. Lysholm taught firefighters the importance of dealing with airbags, electric cars, other alternative energy cars such as hydrogen and extrication with new designs and materials being produced by the automotive industry.
Pine Rive Fire Chief John Uttech stated, “We were really fortunate to have a high caliber instructor such as Butch to come to Wisconsin and teach here at Pine River. Thanks to his sharing of his knowledge we are all better prepared to respond to incidents.”
With Pine River being a smaller department with a limited budget, Uttech also noted how it would not have been possible without the support of KB Body Shop. “Jay works around vehicles every day and knows the importance of emergency responders staying safe while working with them,” Uttech said. “With his generous donation, over 20 of them are now better prepared.”