Eastern Iowa EMS crews train on motorcycle crash response

DUBUQUE, Iowa (KCRG) – Eastern Iowa EMS crews received specialized training Saturday on how to treat motorcyclists after a crash.

Course instructor Frank Prowant teaches the course, called Two-Wheel Trauma through nonprofit ABATE of Iowa, because EMS providers typically receive no specific training in motorcycle trauma.

“The motorcyclist is the one taking all the impact of an accident, all the force. There’s no airbags, no steering wheel that’s preventing further injury to them,” Prowant said.

Two-Wheel Trauma has been teaching first responders since 1986.

Prowant said ridership has grown over the years, and so have the crashes.

“We’ve went from just motorcycles to now we’re seeing e-bikes. We’re seeing electric scooters. We’re seeing all kinds of different motorcycles that are out there. And a lot of different injuries,” Prowant said.

Another instructor, Dick “Slider” Gilmore, said Iowa’s large riding community makes the training critical.

He said the Dubuque area draws heavy riding traffic.

“With the Mississippi River and all the cool places. We’re all drawn to this in the summertime. So, this area is maybe more important than most other places in Iowa because it’s where we gravitate to on our bikes,” Gilmore said.

Organizers plan to make the Dubuque training an annual event.