SEQUIM – Sometimes timing is everything. Some recent good timing for Clallam County Fire District 3 will likely translate into saving lives.
A longtime supporter of District 3 recently walked into Fire Chief Ben Andrews’ office unannounced and handed him a check for $50,000, saying he wanted the money to be used to improve the services. The donor was adamant about remaining anonymous.
Coincidentally, Operations Chief Tony Hudson had been making plans to replace the District’s outdated “Jaws of Life” equipment, but was going to have to do so over the course of several years because of budget constraints. Total cost of 4 new Jaws: $48,000.
Here’s Chief Dan Orr:
“It was very unexpected and we are very excited at the possibility. Like I said, the tools that we are currently using we bought used probably 10 or 12 years ago, and we’ve actually got one set that we’ve been scabbing off of just for parts, because you can’t find parts for what we are currently running anymore. So this is going to be certainly a step in a very positive direction, and putting, kind of, the latest and greatest in those type of tools in the hands of our very capable folks.”
Jaws of Life, or extrication equipment, are used to free victims involved in auto accidents and similar types of entrapment. Orr says the new equipment will be a vast improvement over what they’ve been using.
“Being battery operated, you don’t need to run hydraulic hoses, you don’t need the pump, you don’t need any of that stuff.”
The Board on Tuesday approved the purchase of the new tools.
(Hurst Company photo of equipment District 3 intends to purchase)