NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT:
Sara Panza
Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers’ Association
440.746.1500
First Responders Seminar
Focuses on Hybrids, Air Bags and CNG Vehicles
Cleveland, OH (January 30, 2013) – With the technology in today’s automobiles changing faster than ever before, it’s important for EMTs, emergency personnel and other front line first responders to know how to deal with the most advanced automotive technology in the event of a crash. Hosted by the Cleveland Auto Show and Stark State College in North Canton, the First Responders Safety Seminar returns to the Cleveland Auto Show at the I-X Center on Thursday, Feb. 28 at 10:30 a.m. The event is free for invited emergency personnel.
This two-part seminar will focus on the “Technology of Air Bags, Hybrid Vehicles and CNG Vehicles” and will conclude with “Accident Scene Standard Operating Protocols and Crash Scene Mitigation.”
“Our First Responders seminar has grown over the years,” says Dennis Rose, Operations and Floor Manager of the Cleveland Auto Show. “It started when we heard that there were some firefighters who were hesitant to work on hybrid cars because of some perceived dangers with the technology. So we asked Stark State College, which has an automotive technology program as well as a fire science program, to put on a seminar to dispel any fears they may have and to show them how to deal with a hybrid in the event of an emergency or crash.”
In the years following, the seminar has included information on dealing with plug-in hybrids and all-electric vehicles as well. This year the seminar will include CNG or compressed natural gas vehicles.
“Seven or eight years ago, if we would have offered information on CNG, there would have only been a couple of vehicles on the road,” says Ken Buie, Department Chair of Automotive Technology at Stark State College. “But now, with all of the CNG conversions coming from manufacturers as well as people doing their own natural gas conversions from kits, it’s become important that first responders know how to deal with the technology.”
Fred Bertram, Department Chair of Emergency Services at Stark State College, will be presenting the Accident Scene Mitigation portion of the seminar. As a retired captain in the Canton Fire Department, Bertram has over 33 years of field experience with fire sciences and emergency services.
Matt Buca, an Automotive Instructor at Stark State College, will offer insights into the automotive technology of air bags, hybrids and CNG vehicles. Buca is certified to teach diagnostics and repair of hybrid and advanced technology vehicles. He is an ASE Master Technician, GM World Class Technician, and was the ASE/GM Technician of the Year in 2002.
Stark State’s college level automotive programs include brands such as Toyota, Honda and GM. It is also the factory-authorized training center for all General Motors dealerships in the area.
While closed to the general public, members of the press are invited to attend this informative seminar. However, seating is limited. If you would like to attend, please contact Dennis Rose at drose@gcada.org or Joel Kincannon at jkincannon@gcada.org. It should prove to be both an informative and entertaining session.
In addition to the First Responders Seminar, the Cleveland Auto Show will also offer a full schedule of family fun and entertainment as well as celebrity appearances throughout the Show’s nine-day run. The Show runs from Saturday, February 23, 2013 through Sunday, March 3, 2013. Parking is free for the duration of the Show courtesy of your franchised new car dealers.
If you would like more information on the Cleveland Auto Show, or if you would like to purchase e-tickets online with no convenience charge courtesy of Huntington Bank, head to www.clevelandautoshow.com, and click on “Buy Tickets”.
About the Cleveland Auto Show
The Cleveland Auto Show, presented by AutoTrader.com, marks the start of the spring selling season in Northeast Ohio. Featuring concept, pre- production and production vehicles from the world’s auto manufacturers, the show is held annually at the I-X Center with nearly 1.2 million square feet of exhibits. The Show also features an array of entertainment including sports celebrity appearances from the Browns, Cavs, OSU and NASCAR. The Cleveland Auto Show is a consumer show and a favorite family tradition since 1903.
About the GCADA
The Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers' Association (GCADA) has served the retail-automobile industry and community with integrity and distinction since 1903. Today, located in Brecksville, Ohio, GCADA represents 250 franchised motor vehicle dealers, which includes new-car, truck, motorcycle and RV dealers in a 21-county region of northern Ohio along the Lake Erie shore and beyond. More information on the GCADA can be found at www.gcada.org.
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