No. 52

New ‘Jaws of Life’ for the ACT road accident rescue 

The ACT Fire Brigade is set to replace its hydraulic rescue equipment with the latest state-of-the-art cutting equipment to be funded as part of the ACT Government’s boost to emergency services in the 2007‑2008 ACT Budget.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Simon Corbell today announced $572,000 in funding for the purchase of ten new ‘Jaws of Life’ for the ACT Fire Brigade fleet of pumpers and specialised heavy rescue vehicles.

“The ACT Fire Brigade is responsible for the provision of rescue services to the ACT community. This includes releasing trapped people from motor vehicles, urban search and rescue (USAR), animal extrication, industrial accidents, confined space entrapment, building collapses and any other form of entrapment within the ACT,” he said.

“Our fire fighters attend a number of motor vehicle accidents every year in the ACT with many requiring the use of the ‘Jaws of Life’ to free people from the wreckage.

“The new rescue equipment will allow our fire fighters to cut through the most modern cars with ease to ensure accident victims can be transported to hospital as quickly as possible, in some cases in life-threatening situations.

“The ability for the ACT Fire Brigade to provide immediate access for ACT Ambulance Service Intensive Care Paramedics to victims of rescue incidents is paramount. 

“The subsequent release of these victims from the entrapment and transfer to a hospital increases their chances of survival.

“This funding initiative supports the ACT Government’s continued commitment to ensuring a safer ACT community.”

Each ACT Fire Brigade pumper carries a basic set of rescue equipment that is considered appropriate for routine extrications only. These vehicles are supported by strategically located, specialised, heavy rescue pumpers that carry additional equipment and added capability for more involved extrications, and for incidents that involve heavy vehicles.

The new equipment is expected to be in service before Christmas this year following an appropriate procurement process.