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Car Frames Pose Challenge For Firefighters

Older Tools Struggle With Newer Frames

POSTED: 3:54 pm EDT May 15, 2008
UPDATED: 4:28 pm EDT May 15, 2008

The job of extricating crash victims out of cars has become even more challenging for firefighters.

Eyewitness News reported that today's vehicles are so well-built that frames on certain cars can be a serious match for the tools that firefighters use to cut someone out of a crashed vehicle, especially if the tools are older.

According to Kevin Hannigan, who sells fire equipment, the Jaws of Life and cutters like them have to be consistently re-engineered to keep up with the automakers.

Hannigan said that some of the cars available now have frames almost as strong as racing roll cages.

Keeping up with the newest technology isn't cheap for a local fire department like Rocky Hill that needs four sets to cover the whole town. A new Jaws of Life-type tool can cost about $6,000.

The President of the Connecticut Firefighters Association said that while it would be ideal for all rescue crews to have the latest equipment, residents shouldn't be concerned.

He said the Jaws of Life is just one tool in their toolbox.

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