Naperville Fire takes donations of clunker vehicles

Vehicles to Be Used for Practicing Auto Extrication Techniques

The Naperville Fire Department continues to seek donations of used and “clunker” vehicles from residents and local businesspeople. Firefighters will be able to practice critical auto extrication skills with the donated vehicles.

Auto extrication is the practice of safely removing victims from vehicles that are involved in accidents so severe that traditional entry and exit means are unusable or inadvisable. In these instances, firefighters and other rescue personnel may be required to use braces to stabilize vehicles and then the “Jaws of Life” or other hydraulic or pneumatic cutting tools to sever through sections of a vehicle to remove victims. The more practice that rescue personnel receive in a simulated setting, the more prepared they will be when a true emergency occurs.

All vehicles must have titles and keys available. If a vehicle cannot be driven to the Naperville Fire Department, but is located within the Naperville city limits, Fire Department staff will make arrangements to have it picked up. Donations may possibly be written off on taxes at the end of the year. Please consult your personal accountant or a tax preparation professional for more information and eligibility.

To make a donation of a vehicle, contact Ruthi Sommers at (630) 305-5900 or sommersr@naperville.il.us.

For more information on the Naperville Fire Department, visit www.naperville.il.us/fire.aspx. For more information about the City of Naperville, visit www.naperville.il.us. Sign up to receive the latest news on the City of Naperville's projects and initiatives via e-mail at www.naperville.il.us/enews.aspx.