Grenfell -
Members of the Grenfell Fire Department had a chance to try out a new set of Jaws of Life and within minutes had removed the doors and roof of a car to free a 'victim'.
Alan Stewart of BH Safety Services stopped in Grenfell last Tuesday evening to demonstrate his company's new TNT Jaws of Life. The equipment included a 28" spreader, 28" cutter, and 30" ram.
With the spreader firefighters pried open the doors of the vehicle. The spreader has a 32,150 lbs. of spreading force and combines a gripper jaw and automotive spreader tips made of heat-treated steel. This enables better tool grip and relocation of metal.
The TNT spreader also features a D-shape wrap around handles that ensures easy operation in all positions for left or right handed operators.
The 28" cutter was used to cut off the hinges of the doors and all of the roof supports. The cutter even cut off the steering wheel with ease.
The cutter blades are also made of heat treated tool steel. The cutter has 156,000 lbs. of cutting force and can open just under eight inches. Variable speed and a dead man control increases manageability in critical situations.
Stewart also demonstrated to the firefighters on how to lift a dashboard to free a trapped driver or passenger with the R30 ram.
The R30 rams can extend 30 inches and have a 33,100 lbs. of push force and 17,890 lbs. of pull force.
The rams also utilize penetrating "bear teeth on both the ram tip and bore to plunge through plastic and other material for better grip strength, providing greater control and increase safety during displacement of various vehicle structures.
The ram also has both pushing and pulling capability with Dual Pilot check valves for reliable load holding during operation.
The TNT simo pump features an accelerator and firefighters can operate two tools simultaneous to speed up rescue.
The Grenfell Fire Department presently has a smaller Jaws of Life spreader.
The G.F.D. are hoping to add the set to their rescue equipment inventory. The larger spreader plus cutter and ram will speed up rescue.
The tools come with a lifetime warranty.
The G.F.D. has a number of fundraising events plan to help cover the cost of the equipment.
A new set of Jaws of Life are just under $30,000.
PRYING THE DOOR OPEN - Grenfell Fire Department Assistant Chief Rick Gerhardt pries open a door with the new TNT Jaws of Life spreader. Alan Stewart of BH Safety Services demonstrated the new rescue tools Tuesday evening.
NOT MUCH LEFT - Grenfell Fire Department Deputy Chief Mike Kardash discusses the rescue tools with sales rep Alan Stewart of BH Safety Services. In just a few minutes firefighters removed the doors and roof of this car.
