A dozen Colleton Firefighter-Paramedics participated in a two day school bus extrication course held in Colleton County over the weekend. The course was conducted at the Colleton School Bus Maintenance Shop on Old Air Base Road. The shop and Director Richard Holt were very accommodating, providing three old buses for the students to use. School buses present many different challenges during auto extrications due to the very different and sturdy construction. Buses are more stout than standard automobiles in an effort to protect their precious occupants. Students learned about bus construction, stabilization of the heavy vehicles while upright and on their side. The students were able to use a variety of hand tools, saws and hydraulic equipment to disassemble the vehicles. SC DHEC Deputy Director Michell Stewart was the lead instructor. Stewart has taught this course for over 25 years and has an extensive background in vehicle extrication. He was assisted by Battalion Chief Scott Feather.
