Garfield firefighters get new life-saving tools

• New equipment

Contributed photo The Garfield Fire Department recently purchased two pieces of equipment – a 1999 Ford/Alexis mini-rescue truck and a Hurst Jaws of Life extrication system.

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The Garfield Fire Department is now better equipped to handle emergency situations like fires and car accidents.

The department recently purchased two pieces of equipment to add to its inventory – a 1999 Ford/Alexis mini-rescue truck and a new Hurst Jaws of Life extrication system with cutter, spreader and ram.

The equipment was purchased with funds from public funding, fire department fundraisers and fire department pull tab sales, according to Shaynen Schmidt, captain of search and rescue on the Garfield Fire Department.

Schmidt explained that the Garfield Fire Department covers an area with many highly traveled county roads, as well as part of Interstate 94.

With vehicle and rescue calls on the rise, he said, along with vehicle manufacturers using new, stronger Boron steel in vehicles, the fire department’s old extrication system was not rated to cut through the stronger type of steel.

The new Jaws of Life, however, is a more heavy-duty piece of equipment that is rated to cut through the stronger steel.

Although the fire and rescue truck is a used piece of equipment, Schmidt said, “It’s new to us.” He also noted it is a newly upgraded truck.

Tags: local news, garfield fire department, shaynen schmidt, jaws of life, news, garfield, schmidt, fire, rescue