Rock Valley, Iowa — A grant has made it possible for Rock Valley emergency personnel to replace and upgrade an essential part of their equipment.
Rock Valley Fire Department officials tell us that thanks to a $10,000 grant from the Siouxland Community Foundation, they have been able to purchase a set of new battery-operated extrication tools. They tell us that without this grant and financial support from the City of Rock Valley, the purchase would not have been possible.
They tell us that extrication tools, also known as the “jaws of life,” are critical, life-saving pieces of equipment. Most often, these tools are used to help cut apart mangled vehicles or large pieces of equipment to help free any trapped patients or victims inside. Their previous set of extrication tools was over 15 years old and quickly nearing the end of its usable life.
They tell us that vehicles nowadays are being built of much stronger metals, high-strength steel, and hybrid components, which were becoming extremely difficult, to nearly impossible, for their tools to even cut through. Plus, their old extrication tools were severely limited in terms of portability as they were controlled by a hydraulic pump and hoses. The new set is battery-operated, and since accidents can happen anywhere, they consider that a plus.
The new set of extrication tools costs nearly $37,000.
