Pinnacle Financial Partners, Farmers Insurance® and Local First Responders Help Make Greensboro Area Drivers Safer on the Road Through National Auto Body Council® First Responder Emergency Extrication (F.R.E.E.™) Program

Pinnacle Financial Partners, Farmers® and Hurst Jaws of Life® Hosted First Responder Education Event in High Point, NC, to Demonstrate How to Extricate People from Today’s Advanced Vehicles on August 21

PORT CHARLOTTE, FL. Aug. 26, 2026 — Over 20 first responders from the Greensboro, NC, area put on their rescue gear for a hands-on demonstration of the latest techniques in emergency vehicle extrication, preparing them to provide the best response for car accident victims in North Carolina’s Piedmont region. This was all thanks to Pinnacle Financial Partners, Farmers Insurance®, who donated the vehicles, and Hurst Jaws of Life® tools, which provided the tools used by the instructors in the demonstrations.

These first responders gathered at a special NABC F.R.E.E.™ education and guidance program on August 21 at Pinnacle Financial Partners in High Point, NC, to help ensure drivers in the region get the best prepared response in case of an accident.

Today’s vehicles are equipped with numerous airbags, advanced technology and innovative safety systems that keep drivers safer in case of an accident. But these same safety advantages make it harder for first responders to rescue those drivers and passengers. Add to that the potential challenge presented by electric and hybrid engines, and first responders need a whole new arsenal of rescue tools and procedures.

“Anytime we can get our hands on real cars and use our tools to see how they’re going to react and work with the newer metals on these newer model cars is very important to us so that the first time we see it isn’t on an actual call,” said Captain Kelly Baker of the High Point Fire Department.

The NABC F.R.E.E.™ program (First Responder Emergency Extrication) is a National Auto Body Council® initiative providing free, hands-on training for first responders to practice extricating victims from modern vehicles. It focuses on navigating high-strength steel, advanced airbags, and electric vehicle technology, often using salvaged vehicles.

“Pinnacle believes in supporting our communities and we want to do things that are important to our team members, and we are so glad we were able to connect with the NABC for this important training,” said Shelly Stark, Area Manager for Pinnacle Financial Partners. “This is an opportunity to reinvest into our communities by supporting the local firefighters and helping them be more skilled in a controlled environment.”

ABOUT PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS

Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. (“Pinnacle”) is a $129.1 billion asset regional bank which provides a full range of banking, investment, trust, mortgage and insurance products and services for commercial and consumer clients who want a comprehensive relationship with their financial institution. The firm joined forces with Synovus Financial Corp. in 2026, bringing together more than 160 years of combined banking service. Pinnacle is the largest bank headquartered in Tennessee and the largest bank holding company headquartered in Georgia. The firm is No. 1 in deposit market share* in the Nashville MSA and No. 4 in the Atlanta MSA with offices in Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Kentucky, Virginia and Maryland.

Pinnacle is an employer of choice for financial services professionals. The firm is No. 12 in the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® in 2026, its 10th consecutive appearance. Pinnacle was also recognized by American Banker as No. 4 among America’s Best Banks to Work For in 2025, its 13th consecutive year on the list, and No. 1 among banks with more than $10 billion in assets. Learn more about Pinnacle at PNFP.com.

*As of June 30, 2025, according to FDIC data.

About the National Auto Body Council® 

The National Auto Body Council® is the premier organization of collision industry partners dedicated to strategic networking opportunities that positively change lives in the communities we serve. The collaborative membership of the National Auto Body Council® has gifted more than 3,850 vehicles valued at nearly $69 million and provided extrication opportunities for some 7,000 First Responders in communities around the country through NABC Recycled Rides® and NABC First Responder Emergency Extrication (F.R.E.E.™).

The NABC Changing and Saving Lives Foundation, a 501c3 organization, is committed to the goal of driving change for veterans, military members, first responders and families in need, while harnessing the power of the collective membership of the collision repair industry to positively impact communities where we live and work. As demand for NABC® programs like NABC Recycled Rides® and NABC F.R.E.E.™ grows, so do the needs for resources to manage these important programs. Being able to pursue grants, gifts and donations allows NABC® to expand these programs to serve those in need and help communities where we live and work.

The Changing and Saving Lives Foundation Keys for Change program also helps drive funding for key programs. The easy, efficient donation process allows vehicle owners to turn their unwanted vehicles into life-changing support. All vehicle donations fund critical programs that provide support and assistance for families in need, military members, veterans and first responders.

For more information, visit http://www.nationalautobodycouncil.org/.