The department has one rescue strut kit it uses for lighter vehicles, but the new equipment will be able to lift heavy vehicles up to 10 tons and be used for shoring up a collapsed building or trench, Hardy said.
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None of the equipment has been available for response in the local area, Hardy said. With all the large truck traffic, buses and forest and construction vehicles traveling through the area, Hardy explored funding sources.
The new equipment will be housed on the department’s rescue unit, which responds throughout the county and region, according to Hardy. Training to use the equipment is included in the purchase price.