First responders from Modoc County EMS, Cal Fire, and the Alturas Rural Fire Department conducted a joint training exercise last weekend to improve emergency preparedness and coordination. The focus was vehicle extrication—a lifesaving skill essential for responding to highway collisions, which remain a leading cause of injury-related death in the United States.
The training gave EMS students and seasoned responders hands-on experience with patient rescue scenarios. Participants practiced vehicle stabilization, safe patient removal, and multi-agency communication. These drills are especially vital in rural Modoc County, where long response times and vast distances demand precise coordination.
According to California Highway Patrol data provided by Lieutenant Danny Koetsier of the Alturas CHP office, Modoc County has averaged over 117 traffic collisions per year since 2012, totaling more than 1,500 crashes over the past 13 years. That equates to roughly 10 crashes per month across a 4,000-mile network of highways spanning from south of Tulelake to Ravendale.
“These numbers are influenced by our region’s traffic volume and rural population,” Lt. Koetsier said. “Our goal is always zero. Through enforcement and public education, we do everything possible to reduce collisions and save lives.”
Q&A with EMS Director Megan Wright
Q: How do training exercises like this directly impact patient outcomes during actual emergencies?
A: Extrication training helps us learn how to remove patients safely and efficiently. These skills reduce further injury, enhance awareness among responders, and shorten the time to provide life-saving medical care.
Q: How do hands-on training exercises benefit both EMS students and experienced responders?
A: All EMS providers benefit from realistic, hands-on experience. Training lets us understand the tools, learn safety procedures, and apply patient care while extricating someone from a vehicle. It helps us stay sharp and adaptable.
Q: Why is it important for local emergency agencies to train together?
A: Our EMS crews don’t carry extrication gear — we depend on fire teams for that. These joint exercises build trust, clarify each team’s role, and strengthen collaboration. When we’ve trained together, we respond better and faster in real emergencies.
Local responders stress that prevention is just as critical. While CHP continues highway enforcement efforts and public outreach, joint training helps responders prepare for when prevention isn’t enough.
Modoc Record thanks Modoc Medical Center Cal Fire, Alturas Rural Fire Department, and CHP for their ongoing dedication to protecting Modoc County’s communities and highways.
