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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Duluth - Fire Department
602 West Second Street • Duluth, Minnesota 55802
218-730-4400 •www.duluthmn.gov
218-730-4400 •www.duluthmn.gov
For more information contact Kelli Latuska,
Public Information Officer at 218-730-5309
Public Information Officer at 218-730-5309
DATE: 7/9/2015
SUBJECT: Rescue tools
BY: Assistant Chief's Office
NATURE OF INCIDENT: New rescue tools for Duluth Fire Department
CASE NO.:
INCIDENT DATE: 7/9/2015
INCIDENT TIME:
INCIDENT LOCATION: DFD
SUBJECT: Rescue tools
BY: Assistant Chief's Office
NATURE OF INCIDENT: New rescue tools for Duluth Fire Department
CASE NO.:
INCIDENT DATE: 7/9/2015
INCIDENT TIME:
INCIDENT LOCATION: DFD
PRESS RELEASE
Duluth, MN – The Duluth Fire Department has purchased new and more powerful hydraulic equipment for rescuing trapped victims of vehicle accidents. The equipment includes hydraulic cutters, rams, and spreaders—often referred to as the “Jaws of Life.” Funds were provided through a $161,000 FEMA grant. The new equipment will be placed on rescue vehicles located in West Duluth, downtown, and by UMD.
During the month of July, Duluth firefighters will use these new hydraulic rescue tools to practice their extrication skills at Bayside Recycling, a scrap recycler in West Duluth. “For many years, Bayside Recycling has provided us with disabled vehicles and a convenient location for training,” said Duluth Fire Chief Bryan Bushey. “Their generosity allows us to deliver better service to the public, and we are grateful for their support.”
To keep up with changes in automotive design, manufacturing and safety, these new rescue tools provide over twice the power of old fire department equipment. For example, the fire department’s new hydraulic cutters have a shearing strength of 236,000 pounds per square inch, compared to the 109,000 pounds per square inch offered by the department’s old cutters.
“Cars and trucks continue to be built lighter and stronger, and our hydraulic tools have to keep pace,” explained Bushey. “We’re now seeing vehicles reinforced with high-strength boron steel. We have to be able to get through that to access the patient.”
The fire department’s new hydraulic rescue equipment will be put in service at the conclusion of the July training.
For members of the media who wish to observe and/or participate in the July training, please contact an Assistant Fire Chief at 218-730-4391.