Mitchell and Holmatro Inc. Create Automotive Guide for Rescue Workers
28 March 2000
Mitchell and Holmatro Inc. Create Automotive Guide for Rescue Workers Automotive Publisher and Maker of Hydraulic Rescue
Tools Combine Forces to Prevent Injuries
SAN DIEGO, March 27 Emergency rescue workers have enough
to think about in a critical vehicle crash situation without having to worry
about their own safety. That is why Mitchell International has teamed up with
Holmatro, Inc., makers of Hydraulic Rescue Tools for vehicle extrication, to
provide a new guide for emergency rescue workers -- "The Rescuer's Guide to
Vehicle Safety Systems." The co-branded book brings together Mitchell's
database of information on vehicle restraint systems and Holmatro's expertise
in the rescue industry to provide rescue workers with a step-by-step approach
to avoiding the hazards posed by undeployed airbags at the scene of a vehicle
crash.
Dependent on the severity and nature of the collision, some air bags may
not deploy at the time of the vehicle crash. These air bags remain active and
can deploy during rescue efforts. With the help of the new guide, rescue
workers will be able to accurately identify the locations of air bag
components and avoid the deployment zone; thus keeping themselves and vehicle
occupants safe from further harm. In addition, the book helps rescuers
identify the make, model and year of a vehicle, battery location, and the
presence of seat belt pretensioners and gas struts.
In an effort to leverage Mitchell's Air Bag Information and to make
critical vehicle crash rescues safer for emergency workers, Mitchell met with
Holmatro to discuss the possibility of embarking on a joint venture. Last
October, in the course of researching product content, Mitchell's Procedural
Publications and Database Licensing groups were invited by Holmatro to
participate in a "hands-on" demonstration of Hydraulic Rescue Tools used in
vehicle extrication at the Regional Public Safety Training Institute in San
Diego. The demonstration provided key insight into some of the challenges
rescuers are faced with at the scene of a vehicle crash.
Mitchell and Holmatro will be contributing a portion of the proceeds from
the sale of the book to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
Scholarship Fund, a non-profit organization which provides programs to assist
the survivors of fallen fire heroes. The product was recently launched at the
Fire Department Instructor's Conference (FDIC) held the beginning of March in
Indianapolis.
About Mitchell International
Mitchell International is a leading supplier of information products,
software and business solutions for the property & casualty insurance, medical
claims, automotive collision repair, and glass replacement industries.
Headquartered in San Diego, California, with offices in Chicago, Milwaukee and
Toronto, Mitchell International provides services to businesses seeking to
enhance their productivity, profitability and customer satisfaction. Mitchell
is comprised of six Business Units: Electronic Products, Publications,
Business Systems, Medical, Boeckh and National Auto Glass Specifications
(NAGS). For more information call (800) 681-5068, or visit the Mitchell Web
site at http://www.mitchell.com.
About Holmatro, Inc.
Holmatro is a leading supplier of hydraulic and pneumatic rescue equipment
worldwide. The company serves the needs of fire, rescue and emergency
services personnel from its offices and manufacturing facilities in The United
States and The Netherlands. Holmatro has a 30-year history of innovation and
leads the industry in making rescue equipment lighter, more powerful and more
effective. The company is also at the forefront of rescue training and
education providing crucial programs to rescue professionals around the world.
For more information call 800-654-0203 or visit Holmatro's web site at
http://www.holmatro-usa.com.
