San Miguel Fire Department receives grant for new ‘jaws of life’
Tool will help first responders safely rescue crash victims trapped inside vehicles
– The California Office of Traffic Safety has awarded the San Miguel Fire Department a $48,905 grant for the purchase of new extrication equipment. Known as the “jaws of life,” the tool will help first responders safely rescue crash victims trapped inside vehicles.
“The San Miguel Fire Department is incredibly grateful for this grant, which will allow us to purchase state-of-the-art rescue tools and provide training to first responders which is critical for the care of people injured in crashes,” San Miguel Fire Chief Scott Young said. “The OTS grant funding allowed our department to purchase modern rescue tools. These tools will significantly impact our ability to protect and serve our community, allowing us to respond even more effectively in times of crisis,” Young continued.
In 2022, over 55,000 crashes nationwide required vehicle extrication, according to the National Fire Incident Reporting System. Post-crash care is critical in preventing serious injuries from becoming fatal. Federal data shows that 42% of those killed in car crashes were alive when first responders arrived.
Effective rescue tools like the new “jaws of life” will aid first responders in delivering life-saving measures for those trapped in vehicles, improving survival chances.
Funding for this program was provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
