Emergencies often involve vehicles that need to be shifted—whether it’s to free a trapped occupant, create a safer working environment, or clear access for other emergency services. CFA Rescue members regularly train in vehicle relocation to ensure that their skills are ready for these critical moments. This training focuses on both the technical aspects of moving vehicles and the strategic decisions that underpin safe operations. Volunteers are practicing with equipment such as winches, jacks, and stabilisation tools, learning not only how to use them but when they should be deployed.
The refreshers come as part of a broader push to keep core skills sharp across the organisation. For many members, this is the first time in years they’ve had dedicated time to revisit vehicle relocation. By running realistic scenarios—such as jacking, stabilizing and cribbing overturned vehicles, or crash scenes where access is limited—trainers are helping volunteers build their confidence and decision-making abilities. The goal is simple: when faced with a chaotic scene, every member knows exactly how to act to move vehicles quickly, safely, and effectively.
The response to the refresher sessions has been overwhelmingly positive. Crews are finding that revisiting these skills improves their overall awareness of scene safety and reinforces the importance of coordination between multiple responders. By ensuring that vehicle relocation becomes second nature, CFA is helping volunteers to focus more clearly on the bigger picture of each incident—supporting paramedics, creating safe zones for firefighters, or clearing escape routes for trapped occupants.
These skills also reduce risks to volunteers themselves. Improperly moved vehicles can shift suddenly or create new hazards, but refreshed training ensures that members understand how to stabilise and monitor every step of the process. Senior members are particularly pleased to see newer recruits taking ownership of these skills, knowing that the ability to handle complex relocation challenges is the key to becoming a well-rounded rescuer. Ultimately, this renewed focus on vehicle relocation is not just about moving cars—it’s about ensuring every rescue scene is managed with maximum safety and efficiency and complete protection to the occupant.
