History of International Auto Extrication Competition  

In 1984, Fire Chief Alan Dupuis of the Office of the Fire Marshall, Ontario, Canada, originated the concept of an International Automobile Extrication Competition and Learning Symposium.  The number of transportation accidents was increasing throughout the world, resulting in a higher number of deaths and serious injuries.  This prompted Chief Dupuis to provide a medium where an international forum of rescue personnel could get together to exchange information, ideas, and life-saving techniques.  This medium would provide a wealth of information to all that attended.  Everyone who participated would teach, learn, share, and develop lasting friendships with their peers from around the world.

The International Association of Fire Chiefs sanctioned the Transportation Emergency Rescue Committee (T.E.R.C.) in 1986.  This provided a centralised co-ordinating body to promote the furtherance of such education.  Since their inception in 1984, auto extrication competitions have taken place in all over the World.

The Western Canadian Auto Extrication Competition (WCAEC) saw its beginnings in Prince George B.C. during 1990.  In 1989 the Fort George Highway Rescue Society first considered hosting an auto extrication competition in Prince George B.C., however a lack of funding and time postponed the event until 1990.

The event was designed as a learning opportunity.  The idea was for teams to have a day where they could meet, share ideas, demonstrate their abilities and have some fun.  The first event had eight teams attend, one as far away as Saskatchewan, making it a Western Canadian Event.

The event was rather simple.  It started with a brief session to read the rules and meet each other.  Suppliers then had an opportunity to demonstrate their tools followed by the competition.  All teams had the same scenario and set of tasks to perform.  The day ended with a banquet and awards.  Pineview Volunteer Fire Department won first place.

The first event was such fun and such a success that the Fort George Highway Rescue Society decided to host it again in 1991.  This time the event was bigger and better with 16 teams attending from all over Western Canada.  This was a two-day event with day one being a learning symposium and BBQ and day two being the competition and awards banquet.  Abbostford-Matsqui Fire Department took first Place.

At the second competition the Lloydminster Rescue Squad offered to host the 1992 event, and host they did.  The Lloydminster people took the event to a new height, making it more exciting, more of a challenge and treating the attending teams to some real prairie hospitality.  They moved the event indoors, had the whole event video taped, set up an area for suppliers and had Mr. Bill Nesmith from Florida attend as the guest speaker and Head Judge.  The pits, judging, and scenarios took a form very similar to that of the International Extrication Competition.  Fox Creek Fire Department took first place that year.

In 1993, the Abbotsford-Matsqui Fire Department took on the task of hosting the WCAEC.  They moved the symposium into a theatre with Ken Jones, Don Gardner and Bob Beckett as speakers and judges. Seventeen teams attended, the pit was indoors and the scenarios were more difficult than ever.  Whistler Fire Department took first place.

1994 saw the WCAEC hosted by the Vancouver Fire Department.  The venue was the Pacific National Exposition Grounds. The competition was held inside, with 23 teams attending from Western Canada and the Northwest Territories. The guest speaker was Mr. Len Watson from England.  The Calgary Fire Department took first place overall.

In 1995 the Calgary Fire Department hosted the WCAEC with the flair that Calgary is known for. Again the competiton was held inside at the Olympic SSkating Oval. Again Whistler Fire Department walked away with first place.

1996 took us to the north country, in the beautiful town of Fox Creek, Alberta where mud baths were a common occurrence and scenarios were played out under realistic highway conditions.  When the competition was over, Fox Creek Volunteer Fire/Rescue Department emerged first overall, and will in 1997.

In 1997, the Canadian Automotive Rescue Society (CARS) is hosting the WCAEC in conjunction with the International Auto Extrication Competition in Vancouver ,BC.

Once again to the (real) north country, the 1998 WCAEC was held in the beautiful northern city Yellowknife, NWT.  Guest speakers included Mr David Colbec from Australia, Merlin Klassen from the B.C. Justice Institute, and Mr. Bernie Van Tiegam from the Alberta Fire Training School. Sixteen teams attended the symposium and the competiton. When the scores were tallied Yellowknife Fire Department was first overall, sconded went to Fox Creek Volunteer Fire/Rescue Department and Pemberton Fire Rescue Department emerged as third overall.

The 1999 Western Canadian Auto Extrication Competiton was cancelled.

The small and humble beginnings has overtime developed into a major event with more than 180 teams competing in at least one competition in 1996, with some teams competing at both the regional and national levels.