Lauren Kershner Sentinel reporter lkershner@lewistownsentinel.com LEWISTOWN - The use of hydraulic tools is not a new concept for fire companies in Mifflin County. The use of eDRAULIC tools, however, is fairly new. Junction Fire Company recently purchased a set of Hurst eDRAULIC tools.
“These tools have more than just your standard vehicle rescue application,” Chief Scott Beers said. “We can take these anywhere.”
In fact, mobility is what prompted the fire company to look into purchasing the tools.
The new blue and white cutters and spreaders are lighter than the traditional hydraulic tools the company currently has. In fact, not only are they lighter, Beers said, but they also do not require much to operate.
Currently, the hydraulic tools require a gas powered generator to operate. The new tools are operated from a rechargeable battery pack.
“We can get them into more situations,” Deputy Chief Terry Beers said.
For example, Scott explained, they can take these tools into a factory and use them as industrial rescue tools.
“We don’t have to take as much with us, if we have to walk to rescue site,” Scott said.
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Posted: Nov 22, 2016
Indiana Conservation Officers have added Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS) to their search and rescue capabilities. The DNR Law Enforcement Division is the first state emergency response agency to be officially endorsed to utilize these devices for search and rescue operations. "The SUAS machines will greatly enhance our ability to bring quick resolve in finding ...
“The SUAS machines will greatly enhance our ability to bring quick resolve in finding lost children, hikers, hunters, outdoor enthusiasts and injured people,” said Captain Keith Dinn, Support Services Assistant Commander. “The training and expertise our certified pilots have received gives me confidence that our officers and other emergency responding agencies will have a much higher rate of success in locating citizens in need with a much quicker response time.”
Currently, five Indiana Conservation Officers have become certified pilots of the SUAS machines and will be prepared for statewide response. The DNR Law Enforcement Division has two SUAS units with future goals of adding more to the fleet.
Along with the ability to locate lost citizens, the SUAS will map out the obstacles for the emergency response personnel and provide knowledge of dangers before encountering the obstacle.
“I could not be more proud of our agency as we make this innovative and futuristic step forward to enhance our search and rescue response capabilities to reach our citizens in need,” stated Danny L. East, DNR Law Enforcement Director.
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Posted: Nov 22, 2016
Thanks to a Community Development Block Grant, the Pittsburg Fire Department has been able to replace its 30-year-old brush truck with a brand new one. Instead of selling the tools on the old truck, the department will donate them to the Scammon Fire Department.
For the first time ever, the volunteer fire department will have a Skid unit, which is a pump and tank to flow water and the Jaws of Life rescue tool. Scammon's assistant fire chief says the equipment can mean life or death for residents during accidents.
"If you got somebody trapped and you need to get them out of the vehicle and not have that piece of tool to do that..it's kind of mind-blowing because you can't really help that person until the other department gets there that has the right tool," said Scammon Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Jason Spencer.
"It's better that we're able to give that to the community to improve their community and the safety of their community, verses any kind of financial gain would be very minimal in comparison," explained Pittsburg Fire Chief Mike Simons.
The Community Development Block Grant is a flexible program that gives resources to communities to address a wide range of unique needs.
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