Lebanon Fire and Rescue Departments Train on New JAWS of LIFE.

The Lebanon Fire and Rescue Departments participated in some pretty serious training today. The two departments gathered together to learn about, and practice on, the Town's new JAWS of Life equipment.
Our Fire and Rescue guys and gals were all dressed up in full gear for this training.
Three automobiles, 2 donated for this training by A.C. Provos Towing, and 1 donated by Lebanon Fire Dept. Captain Richard St. Cyr were used to get the feel for the new equipment only recently received by the Department after an order placed late last fall.
Assistant Chief Dan Roy and Captain Eric Neubert watched the training, stepping in at various points along the way to offer tips or to ask questions of the EMTs and Firefighters, and to point out things of interest to Selectman Paul Philbrick and me.

The Town did have a JAWS of Life which was traded in to cut the cost of this new equipment, which still cost the Fire Department's Contingency Fund in the area of $25,000.00. "This new equipment is far superior to the old equipment", said Roy, pointing out that the old JAWS had only one air driven tool which was much smaller, and used for cutting and prying, where this new set utilizes two separate tools, one especially for each action. The Department's old JAWS tool also utilized two separate air lines, one that brought the air to the tool, and the 2nd one as a return. While each of the new tools has only one line that goes to each tool, each line carrying inside it, both the delivery line and the outtake line.

The Fire and Rescue Department Volunteers on hand for the training commented on the ease of not having to continually untangle the hoses.

 Assistant Chief Roy explained, as cars are made smaller and smaller, the material used for their manufacturing must get tougher and tougher. The Boron used for the framework of a car today, can be cut, but as you cut through it, it actually gets stronger and stronger, gaining strength as the cut gets deeper into the framework. The new JAWS is made specifically to cut right through that metal and to gain quicker access to the victims inside the car.
As we watched, the team learned proper use of the struts, used to make the car more stable. After allowing the struts to be placed, the question was asked, "Now how do you gain access to the battery?" as the team had used a front hood position to secure the car. The point was made that it was a GREAT training as they had just learned a very valuable lesson!! Captain Neubert stepped in to show the team how a rear placement of the struts would have been a better choice.

As the training went on, care was taken to show how members of the Rescue Department would have gained access into the vehicle to assess a patient, cover them with a blanket to protect them from breaking glass, and stay with them to instruct them on what was being done as each step was taken to extricate them from the vehicle.

It was nice to see Fire Warden Skip Wood watching over the process, and one of our Maine State Police, along with bomb sniffing dog, Charlie, stopped by to take a peek as well. Also one of our new Rescue Volunteers was eager to take a look at the new equipment and although he has not completed his training, it was nice to see him there taking an interest!!

As the day turned into darkness, one by one, every member of the Lebanon Fire Department stepped up to try out the new equipment, learn about all that it could do, and practice on the donated vehicles. Different techniques were practiced and cut by cut the cars went from vehicles, into pieces.
Assistant Chief Roy said that there were a few Volunteers who could not be there tonight, but he assured us that they would have their turn to practice with the equipment, as this would not be the only training for the crew. He said that they would continue to train with the JAWS until every member had the chance to learn how to use it and feel comfortable with it.
He also pointed out that the more experienced members of the Departments were standing back, offering suggestions, and letting the newest and youngest members make decisions and have the most time with the equipment. This was done by design so that the younger volunteers would be able to make decisions and use the equipment quickly and efficiently should they be the first on the scene of a major wreck.
Thanks to all of our Volunteers for participating in this training and practice tonight!! A lot of information and instruction were being shared and by the time I left, it sure looked as though they were all getting a bit more comfortable with the use of the new equipment.