Thanks to grants and the hard work of staff, the California Medical Facility (CMF) Fire Department now has new tools to help rescue those trapped in vehicles.
The institution recently demonstrated the new life-saving extrication devices.
“I had been trying to work toward getting newer tools,” said CMF Fire Chief Andrew Smith. “Specifically, (I wanted) to go to an (extrication) tool system.”
According to Smith, the tools are used to pry open doors, the roof, or remove other parts of a vehicle to gain access to trapped victims.
“When working down cliff sides or working down hills, we have to lug all this equipment out there. Now, with these (new extraction) tools, it’s grab and go. Push a button and it’s turnkey ready,” he said.
Fire Capt. Josh Smithee wrote the grant proposals to secure funding.
Watch the video:
Video by Richard Tan, TV Specialist
Office of Public and Employee Communications
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