By MELISSA MEEHAN
AN IDEA born in Lilydale could make the difference between life and death for someone injured in a car accident.
Last week Lilydale SES volunteers demonstrated how seized hoon cars will assist in Jaws of Life training for road accident rescues.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Kim Wells and Evelyn MP Christine Fyffe attended the exercise which saw two abandoned hoon cars that have been seized by Victoria Police ripped apart by Lilydale SES Unit volunteers as they practised car crash rescues.
The idea is the brain child of Lilydale SES volunteer and local paramedic Shaun Caulfield.
“I saw a story on the news about police being able to seize hoon cars,” he said.“And it seemed like a waste to have them squashed into scrap metal when the SES and CFA are scratching to get cars to train on.”
So Mr Caulfield put the idea to MP Christine Fyffe while she was visiting to have a look at a new truck.
“She seemed to like the idea and got on the phone straight away,” he said.
“It’s great for us because we are able to train on cars that we would normally be going out to.
“We used to rely on donations, and they were great, but the newer model cars have different metals and mechanics – so we’ll be better prepared.”
Lilydale SES had been to 1000 call-outs in the past decade and while there are fewer crashes each year, Mr Caulfield said being able to train was priceless.
He said that a few finer details were being worked out about who pays for the cars to be transported from the impound yards to the local emergency crews.
“At the end of the day these are what we need to train on,” he said.
Mrs Fyffe said that she was thrilled that the minister was able to cut through the red tape quickly.
“One car can be three training sessions – knowing what to do could be the difference between life and death,” she said.
“It’s a wonderful idea.”
Mr Wells said: “Last year, the Victorian Coalition Government was pleased to announce its support for a Victoria Police initiative that will see forfeited or abandoned hoon cars provided to CFA and SES for Jaws of Life training.
“For the first time, SES volunteers and CFA members will have access to an ongoing supply of cars that can be used to simulate the rescue of a person trapped in a car.
“Previously, these agencies had to rely on donations from wreckers or the local community and, while gratefully received, these vehicles were often not representative of the more modern types of vehicles that are encountered by road rescue crews.”
Hoons who refuse to pay their fines and impoundment costs at the expiry of the impoundment period will have their vehicle deemed abandoned and it will become the property of Victoria Police.
The Road Safety Act 1986 gives the Chief Commissioner of Police the authority to sell or otherwise dispose of a motor vehicle that is subject to a forfeiture order.
