Training in the latest techniques in saving lives is ongoing at Cochrane Fire Services.

Among them is learning the latest techniques and tools used for the extrication of people trapped in vehicles.

Deputy fire chief Shawn Polley says the firefighters went a series of exercises, using two vehicles and a bus to simulate rescue operations of those entrapped from a collision.

He says the training goes from simple to complex scenarios.

"They go through a process of stabilization, identifying all the hazards, making sure the scene is safe, and then removing the vehicle from the patient, because that's really what they're doing."

Polley has over 20-years of experience in the field, and in that time has seen great strides made in the equipment utilized and, consequentially, the techniques used. The endgame is shaving off crucial minutes in freeing patients so they can receive further medical attention as quickly as possible.

"The technology is definitely an interesting balance between the basic tools that we've always used, to the complex tools that you see today."

"The command officers have actually had to adjust their tactics and be quicker and faster and more efficient. So, the patient contact time has lessened and has had a much quicker result than what we had in the past."

Vehicles used for the exercise are purchased from a vendor who ensures all fluids have been removed so as not to cause any environmental damage. The vendor delivers and days later picks up the remaining rumbles.

He says about 80 per cent of their 47 full and casual firefighters completed the course.

With COVID-19 response protocols in place, only eight to 10 were able to participate in the training at a time.

Other training has been completed in recent weeks.

Last week, eight members were in Kananaskis Country to become swift water rescue technicians. Starting today (July 25), another smaller group is completing a three-day course on swift water river boat rescue here in Cochrane on the Bow River. There was also roping rescue training completed on the iron bridge over the Bow earlier this week.

Polley says they are expanding the number of members professionally trained in the five water rescue disciplines that include everything from ice water, swift water and rope rescue.

"We're in a transition right now from our previous program to a full-time technical rescue type program. So we'll use the members that are on shift every day, but we'll have more of them."