Road crash rescue teams need reliable equipment to prevent unwanted vehicle movement. Essential equipment includes chocks, blocks, stabilisation struts, shoring systems, and suitable accessories.
Fire Rescue Safety Australia supplies a comprehensive range of vehicle shoring and stabilisation equipment. The range includes Holmatro solutions for simple vehicle stabilisation and complex rescue scenarios.
Why Is Vehicle Stabilisation Important During Road Crash Rescue?
A crashed vehicle may look stable but remain vulnerable to movement. Weight changes during rescue can cause it to shift unexpectedly.
Vehicle stabilisation creates a controlled working platform before extrication progresses. Australian road rescue training guidance identifies stabilisation as an important step before access and removal.
During an extrication, vehicle movement can occur when rescuers:
- Enter or move around the vehicle
- Remove doors, roofs, or structural sections
- Operate hydraulic rescue tools
- Transfer or remove a casualty
- Change the vehicle's weight distribution
- Lift or reposition parts of the vehicle
Stabilisation should also be monitored throughout the rescue. Conditions can change as the extrication plan progresses.
Vehicle stabilisation is more than an initial setup task. It creates a safer platform throughout the rescue operation.
What Equipment Does a Road Crash Rescue Team Need for Stabilisation?
There isn't a single product alone that suits every road crash scenario. Rescue teams need equipment that can address different vehicle positions and loads.
A practical stabilisation capability may include:
- Chocks
- Blocks and wedges
- Vehicle stabilisation struts
- Shoring struts
- Ratchet belts and chains
- Base plates and support heads
- Pneumatic or remote-controlled shoring systems
- Rescue platforms for elevated access
FRSA's shoring and stabilisation range includes equipment for both vehicle and structural rescue applications.
Teams need several stabilisation options. Equipment should match the vehicle position, rescue plan, and expected loads.
Why Do Rescue Teams Need Chocks, Blocks and Wedges?
Chocks and blocks provide simple, dependable support beneath or around a vehicle. They help reduce unwanted movement before and during rescue.
They can also help remove movement from the vehicle's suspension. This provides rescuers with a more stable working platform.
The Holmatro Chocks & Block Set A includes:
- Two step chocks
- Two small wedges
- Two large wedges
These components are manufactured from recycled polyethylene which is reusable, non-absorbent, and resistant to water and oil. The components also feature a non-slip surface profile to improve grip.
Unlike timber, polyethylene doesn't splinter. The Holmatro components are also lightweight and stackable for transport and storage.
FRSA also supplies Holmatro Chocks & Blocks Set B. The set includes low, medium, and high lock blocks with wedges.
Chocks and blocks are fundamental vehicle stabilisation equipment. They provide fast support using simple, reusable components.
When Should a Vehicle Stabilisation Strut be Used?
Struts provide additional support where basic cribbing may not be enough. They're particularly useful for vehicles resting in unstable positions.
A strut can help control movement when a vehicle is:
- Resting on its side
- Resting on its roof
- Positioned on uneven ground
- Partially supported by another object
- At risk of lateral movement
- Difficult to stabilise using blocks alone
The Holmatro V-Strut Gen 2 is designed specifically for crashed vehicle stabilisation. It combines the stabilisation strut with key components in one unit.
Features:
- An automatic locking system
- A squeeze-and-push adjustment mechanism
- A serrated multi-purpose head
- An integrated tensioning belt
- A snap hook
- A belt reel
- Lightweight construction
The integrated design means fewer loose components need to be positioned. The V-strut is described as ready for immediate vehicle stabilisation.
Vehicle stabilisation struts support vehicles in more complex positions. They help control movement where basic blocks provide insufficient support.
What is the Difference Between Stabilisation and Shoring?
Vehicle stabilisation aims to minimise unwanted movement during rescue. Shoring creates a structural support system to hold or control a load.
The two concepts often overlap during complex incidents. A rescue team may begin with basic vehicle stabilisation before adding shoring.
Shoring becomes particularly important when rescuers need to support:
- Large or heavy vehicles
- Vehicles positioned above ground
- Complex multi-vehicle incidents
- Unstable structural components
- Loads that may move during lifting
- Rescue situations involving structural collapse
This is where modular systems can give teams additional options. Holmatro's OmniShore system is designed for vehicle, structural, and trench shoring applications.
Stabilisation controls vehicle movement. Shoring provides greater structural support for complex or changing loads.
What is Holmatro OmniShore?
Holmatro OmniShore is a modular system for different shoring operations. FRSA supplies several configurations and individual OmniShore components.
The system can support vehicle stabilisation, lifting, and structural shoring. Its components connect through Holmatro's Trident Coupler system.
What is Included in a Basic Vehicle Shoring System?
Teams developing a broader capability can use a complete shoring set. This provides compatible struts, bases, and restraint components together.
The Holmatro Basic Vehicle & Structural Shoring Pneumatic Set VS-PS1 is designed for vehicle stabilisation and basic spot shores.
Includes:
- P40 pneumatic struts
- P30 pneumatic struts
- M10 struts
- Swivel bases
- Multi heads
- Ratchet belts
- Chain adapters
- A chain
- Shoring hammers
Alternatively, teams can choose the Holmatro Basic Vehicle & Structural Shoring OmniLock Set VS-OS1. This OmniLock system allows you to automatically follow and lock a load in both directions.
Important Features:
- Full control with less manpower through the OmniLock system
- Build any application with a system of only six different struts
- Each strut also functions as an extension pipe
- Designed to save weight and space
- Quick and easy setup
- Maximum safety
The system can also be expanded for lifting and high-directional applications. Its modular design allows compatible struts and accessories to be combined.
For road crash rescue teams, this provides more flexibility than carrying individual stabilisation products alone.
A complete shoring set provides compatible equipment for varied incidents. It can also expand as a team's rescue capability develops.
Do Rescue Teams Need Both Simple and Advanced Stabilisation Equipment?
In most rescue environments, different incidents require different approaches. A straightforward collision may only require chocks, blocks, and basic struts.
A vehicle on its side presents a different problem. A heavy vehicle or complex entrapment can also require more advanced shoring.
A capable equipment inventory may therefore require:
- Chocks and blocks for routine stabilisation
- V-Struts for rapid vehicle support
- Modular struts for more complex positioning
- Ratchet belts and chains for restraint
- Pneumatic shoring equipment
- OmniLock equipment for changing loads
- Supporting bases, heads, and accessories
This layered approach gives teams options without overcomplicating simple incidents.
Basic equipment remains essential, even for advanced teams. More capable shoring systems extend what rescuers can safely manage.
What Should Teams Consider When Choosing Shoring Equipment?
Shoring equipment should match the incidents a team expects to attend. Product specifications alone won't determine the best system.
Consider:
- Typical vehicle sizes
- Heavy vehicle rescue requirements
- Likely vehicle positions
- Equipment storage capacity
- Deployment speed
- Equipment weight
- Required shoring configurations
- Existing rescue equipment
- Crew numbers
- Training requirements
- Inspection and maintenance needs
Equipment also needs to work as one rescue system. Compatibility between struts, bases, restraints, and accessories can simplify deployment.
Teams should always use equipment within manufacturer limits and organisational procedures.
Choose equipment around real rescue scenarios. A well-matched system is more useful than an isolated collection of components.
Where Can Australian Rescue Teams Find Shoring and Stabilisation Equipment?
FRSA supplies specialist equipment for vehicle extrication and road crash rescue.
Its shoring and stabilisation range includes Holmatro chocks, blocks, V-Struts, and OmniShore systems. It also includes equipment for broader vehicle and structural shoring applications.
For teams building or updating a rescue capability, equipment should support both routine and complex incidents. Starting with dependable stabilisation equipment creates a stronger foundation for every extrication operation.
Explore FRSA's vehicle shoring and stabilisation equipment or contact the FRSA team for assistance selecting equipment for your operational requirements.