‘ForDR’ Training Workshop for Disaster Risk Reduction Held in Multiple Cities in China

Sep 18, 2024
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From August to September 2024, the "ForDR" Training Workshop for Disaster Risk Reduction was successfully held in Wuhan, Beijing and Kunming, China. As a continued collaboration between Ford China and Ford Beyond, the workshop brought together off-road enthusiasts from the local community, including car owners and Ford fans residing in the area. The training session, which was centered on Emergency Rescue techniques shared in the first-ever ForDR workshop, also added more targeted content for off-road situations, such as Vehicle Rescue and Extrication, as well as Self-Rescue techniques in wilderness scenarios.

The workshops in Wuhan and Kunming were taught by instructors from Xiamen Dawn Emergency Rescue Team, while the session in Beijing was led by instructors from Beijing Blue Panther Rescue Team, who were assisted by Rescue Team members. 

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    Ford Disaster Risk Reduction Workshop in Wuhan, Kunming & Beijing
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The session covered basic emergency rescue skills such as the Heimlich maneuver, CPR, and AED usage. During the workshop, the instructor applied real-world outdoor scenarios involving injury assessment and trauma care to demonstrate effective emergency response techniques under constrained conditions.

Compared to the initial training workshop, subsequent sessions have been tailored for these participants' needs by incorporating safety and self-rescue skills specific to off-road driving, including techniques for safely navigating water crossings, self-rescue procedures if a vehicle submerges, and the necessary precautions when using a winch.

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    Ford Disaster Risk Reduction Workshop in Kunming
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The Kunming workshop also included an outdoor experience component conducted at the training facilities of Ford Beyond Off-Road Experience Center. Expert instructors from the Ford Beyond Off-Road Lifestyle Academy guided participants through realistic off-road driving scenarios, demonstrating the vehicle rescue and mutual aid techniques covered in the classroom session. The training involved practical instruction on the use of various rescue and extrication tools, as well as various simulations for winching, mud pit navigation, and vehicle recovery operations. To date, this "ForDR" training session marks the first in the country to feature real vehicle drills.

The comprehensive and well-structured training course received strong positive feedback from the participants. One attendee said: "Today's training on Vehicle Rescue and Extrication techniques was insightful and practical. While I had heard about rescue scenarios of doors becoming jammed or vehicles getting submerged, it’s very likely that I would have been overwhelmed in such situations. The training provided clear, step-by-step procedures for handling these issues, which is essential for those of us involved in off-roading activities."

Furthermore, media-related car owners were invited to participate in the Beijing workshop, and after the experience, these media representatives stated that they had never seen another automotive company organize such a practical and insightful educational activity, where they could learn such essential life skills. Moreover, following the event, the media professionals proactively provided coverage of the experience and expressed a strong interest in participating in future training courses.

Next, the "ForDR" Training Workshop for Disaster Risk Reduction will be conducted in cities such as Zhengzhou and Harbin, helping residents and car owners in more regions to enhance their awareness in disaster prevention and mitigation, as well as their self-rescue and rescue capabilities.