Fire Department acquires new extraction tools

Feb 23, 2022

The City of Edmundston's Fire Department recently acquired new state-of-the-art extraction tools (Jaws of Life). This equipment helps extract people trapped in vehicles after road accidents, much more quickly and efficiently.

A Code 4 Fire & Rescue Hurst "Jaws of Life" instructor provided training to on-duty firefighters on Thursday, February 17th, with the collaboration of Gallant Entreprises ltd. who provided the vehicles. Two of the firefighters present during the training, Lieutenant Gino St-Onge and firefighter Patrick Fournier will then teach these techniques to the 42 auxiliary firefighters.

"This is a new technology that will save us a lot of time and inconvenience," says Daniel Breau, Prevention & Training Captain. “In recent years, vehicles have changed a lot and we want to ensure that firefighters can respond to emergencies as quickly and efficiently as possible. Also, it will be possible to carry out rescues in buildings, with much lighter but extremely powerful tools,” he adds.

The Fire Department has been using hydraulic extrication tools since 1985. This equipment, equipped with gasoline engines, pumps and hydraulic hoses, can be used by another fire department. “We purchased 4 battery-powered tools: a spreader, a cutter, a telescopic RAM and a combi tool, which will be installed on the new fire truck. These tools are more efficient, faster, lighter, less noisy and require little maintenance,” explained Donald Lebel, Captain of Operations.

These new tools are now in operation and training continues internally. In the event of an accident where people get stuck in a vehicle, or a door needs to be pried open in and industrial environment, Edmundston firefighters will be better equipped to save lives.

-30-

CONTACT: Daniel Breau, Captain Prevention Training, Fire Safety, 506.739.2117