Frelinghuysen Delivers for Local First Responders

MORRISTOWN, NEW JERSEY -  Northern New Jersey’s first responders have been receiving  important new training tools thanks to the advocacy of U.S. Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen (NJ-11).  Since October of 2016, Frelinghuysen has been working with local fire departments and county training academies on creating a pilot program to enhance automobile extrication training – a skill used nearly every day on the roads of New Jersey.

“Auto accident scenes are chaotic and very dangerous and first responders must be very proficient in extricating injured victims.  To make their training as credible as possible, they need real vehicles for their drills,” said Frelinghuysen.  “We jumped on the opportunity to contact Volkswagen, which agreed to donate cars.  This is proving to be a solid partnership.”

Volkswagen has diesel vehicles in the inventory of the “buy back” program they established in 2015 to take the cars off the road due to faulty emissions testing systems. 

“I want to commend the Mountain Lakes Fire Department which came up with the idea to reutilize vehicles.  I also want to thank Volkswagen for working for months with our office to get this program off the ground,” said Frelinghuysen. 

Mountain Lakes received three cars in September and trained with these cars multiple times over the last month, most recently on Tuesday, November 21.  Brookside Engine Company (Mendham) has received two cars and will also be conducting training in the near future. Volkswagen is now working with officials at the Morris County Sherriff and Training Academy and the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office/Training Academy. At this point, a total of 30 cars are expected to be delivered.

“Every day, New Jersey first responders put their lives on the line to quickly react to emergencies involving highway accidents.  Our goal is to improve their training regime,” said Frelinghuysen.  “Quite possibly, this program will save lives. For that, we owe a debt of gratitude to our first responders.”

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