ABRA Auto Body & Glass and North Memorial Health Care Announce Joint Venture.

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 29, 1999--

ABRA Auto Body & Glass and North Memorial Health Care announced their joint venture in a one-of-a-kind airbag safety course.

The program, called A.L.E.R.T. (Airbag Lifesafety Education and Restraint Training) is designed for all medical and rescue personnel who respond to crash scenes. The four-hour course is geared to ensure a rescuer's safety at every crash scene by offering the latest information regarding restraint systems, including seat belts, windshields and air bags.

Several rescue workers around the country have been injured when airbags have deployed unexpectedly during extrications or rescue attempts. In fact, in 30 percent of all serious vehicle crashes, air bags do not deploy during the crash. What many people don't realize is that air bags can still deploy after a car has been involved in a crash and the engine is no longer running.

In Ohio, two firefighters were literally blown out of a vehicle after both the driver and passenger-side airbags deployed in the middle of a rescue. This alarming incident was caught on videotape and is shown during the A.L.E.R.T. training session. It's a powerful example of what an accidental deployment could mean to both the rescuer and the victim.

In addition to airbag safety, A.L.E.R.T. offers rescuers a wide-range of information to help them make better decisions at their next crash scene. Course objectives include:

-- Educating emergency personnel on what is coming and what is in

production at auto manufacturing plants.

-- Presenting an overview of past, present and future automobile

safety features and restraint systems.

-- Developing an understanding of crash-test technology.

-- Developing an understanding of anti-lock brakes and why there is

an increase in rollover crashes of vehicles that have them.

-- Technical training on airbag assembly, operation, deployment and

the types of injuries that can occur.

-- A live airbag deployment.

-- Identifying what areas to avoid when arriving at the scene.

-- Information on deactivation of air bag systems to avoid

accidental deployment.

A.L.E.R.T. is based on a program developed by ABRA Auto Body & Glass, a national collision and glass repair company headquartered in Minneapolis, MN. ABRA felt it was necessary to provide safety training for those involved in replacing airbag systems. But when executives from ABRA began looking for training seminars from auto manufacturers and safety research centers, they quickly discovered that there weren't any available. That prompted ABRA to compile their own information from various auto manufacturers, and in 1997 the airbag safety training class was created.

While the class was originally geared toward those involved in replacing airbag systems, it quickly became evident that the information was vital to EMS and public safety personnel. Staff members from North Memorial Health Care attended the class in 1997, and realized the urgent need to train their co-workers about airbag safety. At the same time, members of the Minnesota State Patrol Training Division saw the quality of the program and mandated all troopers attend the class.

Word quickly spread, and soon emergency personnel from around the country were calling ABRA about the training sessions. They were inundated with request for classes. Knowing North Memorial's long history of outstanding EMS education, it seemed appropriate to pursue a cooperative venture between the two organizations.

In the fall of 1998, an agreement was signed between ABRA Auto Body & Glass and North Memorial Health Care to offer the class through North EMS Education. Eight North Memorial employees have been trained as A.L.E.R.T. instructors, and the class is being offered to emergency personnel locally and nationwide.

The program has received a letter of commendation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. A modified version of the 4-hour class, which lasts approximately 1 to 2 hours, is also available to high schools and community groups.

EMS personnel, law enforcement, firefighters and anyone else interested in A.L.E.R.T. can contact North Memorial Health Care at 1-800-994-9780 or 612-520-5452.