REGISTRATION BEGINS MARCH 13TH
Quick Answer: It is an amazing opportunity for you and your fellow firefighters to experience some of the newest training and techniques in vehicle technology and auto extrication.
The 1st Annual Pile-up in Puyallup started in 2005 when the Puyallup Fire Auto Extrication Team was asked to host a TERC (Transportation Emergency Response Committee) www.TERC.US regional auto extrication competition. The team, who had been competing since 2000 at the regional, national, and international levels gladly agreed. We felt strongly that we wanted this event to grow and to be a "national caliber" event, while exposing as many fire rescue agencies in the Northwest to the many invaluable training opportunities an event like this can provide. Hosting the "Pile Up" gave us the opportunity to place our motto into action:
To optimize the training aspect of our event, we immediately added a hands-on class portion to the competition. This was a great success!! In the 1st year there were over 180 participants that represented over 30 fire & rescue organizations from Washington, Oregon, Illinois, Florida, and even Canada. Today, we continue to listen to feedback we receive from our contestants and continue to strive to improve on what we started back in 2005. Extrication Competitions commonly consist of 3 scenarios or “Pits”, the Unlimited, Limited and Rapid, each having their own unique set of challenges. Vehicles are placed in various configurations that simulate actual motor vehicle accident scenes. Simulated hazards and obstacles are also placed throughout the scene such as gas meters, downed power lines and fire hydrants. Normally a LIVE patient, who also serves as a judge, is placed in one of the vehicles. Ocassionally a rescue manikan is used if the scenario poses too much risk to use a LIVE patient. It is each teams mission to quickly, safely and efficiently extricate the patient using universally accepted extrication techniques. Teams consist of 6 members. Each team must have a designated “IC” or Incident Commander and a MEDIC. These two positions cannot be changed and must be maintained for the course of the entire event. The other four members are assigned as tool operators and given individual assignments and responsibilities by the IC and can be changed as needed. Team performance is evaluated and scored by a team of judges using specific criteria contained in the TERC Judges handbook. TERC or the Transportation Emergency Rescue Committee, is the sanctioning body under which most state, regional, national and international competitions are held. In order to compete in TERC sanctioned events, teams must join and be registered with TERC, after which they will be given a registration number. (To join TERC, click here.) Individual judges are assigned to both the IC and MEDIC. The IC is evaluated on his or her command presence, coordination and delegation of specific duties, maintaining control of the scene, direction and communication of their team, etc. The MEDIC is evaluated on rapidiy accessing the patient, timely evaluation of the patients condition, ABC’s, initiating and maintaining c-spine precautions, protecting and comforting the patient, internal stabilization, work in mitigating entrapment, overseeing the safe removal of the patient from the vehicle, etc. The other 4 team members are judged on items such as stabilization, tool selection and use, technique, safety and housekeeping, etc. Awards are normally presented to the Top 3 Teams Overall, Unlimited, Limited, Rapid, and Outstanding IC and Medic. 
The first scenario is the UNLIMITED, which in short, means that you can use any and all tools found in the competitions tool crib. The second scenario is the LIMITED, which means NO hydraulic rescue tools are allowed. Teams must use hand tools such as reciprocating saws, air chisels, high-lift jacks, etc. Finally, the third scenario is the RAPID which allows for unlimited tool usage, but gives teams only 10 minutes to complete their evolution, whereas the UNLIMTED and LIMITED scenarios allow a full 20 minutes to complete the evolution.
If this sounds like something you and your fellow firefighters would be interested in, click on the event info. and registration link below and sign up, step up and we will...
REGISTRATION BEGINS MARCH 13TH