By Chris Mc Loone
When considering the types of apparatus fire departments run all the time and some of the apparatus police departments often buy, the similarities are striking, particularly on rescue-type vehicles.
It stands to reason that some of the equipment used by both agencies would also be similar or, in some cases, the same. Such is the case with the Hurst Jaws of Life StrongArm® rescue tool. This device was originally designed for use by rapid intervention teams (RIT), but according to Bruce Johnston, director of marketing and product management at Hurst Jaws of Life, Inc., voice of the customer (VOC) research revealed that it also met other needs. “After conducting extensive VOC research,” he says, “we discovered that the StrongArm tool could fill many critical needs faced by firefighters on tactical rescue or rapid intervention teams, law enforcement officers, and SWAT teams.”
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| 1 The Hurst Jaws of Life StrongArm can cut, lift, spread, and replace crowbars, halligan bars, wire cutters, and axes. (Photos courtesy of Hurst Jaws of Life unless otherwise noted.) |
The Tool
According to Johnston, the tool is a lightweight (25 pounds without power pack), 31-inch, battery-driven hydraulic multipurpose rescue tool. “Customarily, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and SWAT teams have had an arsenal of tools to choose from in the field, but StrongArm does it all,” he says. “It provides one powerful, yet portable, tool that lifts; cuts; spreads; breaches metal or wooden doors; cuts through chains and 3⁄8-inch rebar, security bars, locks, and 2x4 wood; and is IP54-protected.” In addition, Johnston says the tool is powerful enough to pry open automobile doors.
Johnston adds that the tool is designed to operate in heat and smoke environments. “With a Picatinny rail and four-position handle, it replaces crowbars, halligan bars, wire cutters, axes, and much more,” he says. Each tool comes with two sets of tips (door opener and combination), two lithium ion batteries, and one charger. It comes in two colors: blue for fire department use and black for law enforcement use.
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| 2 The StrongArm tool being used to lift in a RIT scenario. |
Research and development for the tool had actually already occurred during the development phase of the company’s eDRAULC® line of electric-hydraulic tools. “The eDRAULIC rescue tools operate with an internal hydraulic pressure that generates the same force as the power-unit-driven tools,” says Johnston. “Using electric-over-hydraulic force eliminated the need for power units, hoses, and reels. This eDRAULIC innovation provided much of the research and development needed for the StrongArm rescue tool. That, combined with the VOC research, birthed the StrongArm tool. Prototypes were put through their paces with the Charlotte (NC) Fire Department and Charlotte Fire Department Training Academy.”
Johnston adds that Hurst will continue to develop the StrongArm product line to provide additional rescue tools that answer unmet needs in the first responder community. “We’re conducting VOC research interviews now,” he says. “Stay tuned!”
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Posted: Mar 7, 2017
By Chris Mc Loone
When considering the types of apparatus fire departments run all the time and some of the apparatus police departments often buy, the similarities are striking, particularly on rescue-type vehicles.
It stands to reason that some of the equipment used by both agencies would also be similar or, in some cases, the same. Such is the case with the Hurst Jaws of Life StrongArm® rescue tool. This device was originally designed for use by rapid intervention teams (RIT), but according to Bruce Johnston, director of marketing and product management at Hurst Jaws of Life, Inc., voice of the customer (VOC) research revealed that it also met other needs. “After conducting extensive VOC research,” he says, “we discovered that the StrongArm tool could fill many critical needs faced by firefighters on tactical rescue or rapid intervention teams, law enforcement officers, and SWAT teams.”
|
| 1 The Hurst Jaws of Life StrongArm can cut, lift, spread, and replace crowbars, halligan bars, wire cutters, and axes. (Photos courtesy of Hurst Jaws of Life unless otherwise noted.) |
The Tool
According to Johnston, the tool is a lightweight (25 pounds without power pack), 31-inch, battery-driven hydraulic multipurpose rescue tool. “Customarily, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and SWAT teams have had an arsenal of tools to choose from in the field, but StrongArm does it all,” he says. “It provides one powerful, yet portable, tool that lifts; cuts; spreads; breaches metal or wooden doors; cuts through chains and 3⁄8-inch rebar, security bars, locks, and 2x4 wood; and is IP54-protected.” In addition, Johnston says the tool is powerful enough to pry open automobile doors.
Johnston adds that the tool is designed to operate in heat and smoke environments. “With a Picatinny rail and four-position handle, it replaces crowbars, halligan bars, wire cutters, axes, and much more,” he says. Each tool comes with two sets of tips (door opener and combination), two lithium ion batteries, and one charger. It comes in two colors: blue for fire department use and black for law enforcement use.
|
| 2 The StrongArm tool being used to lift in a RIT scenario. |
Research and development for the tool had actually already occurred during the development phase of the company’s eDRAULC® line of electric-hydraulic tools. “The eDRAULIC rescue tools operate with an internal hydraulic pressure that generates the same force as the power-unit-driven tools,” says Johnston. “Using electric-over-hydraulic force eliminated the need for power units, hoses, and reels. This eDRAULIC innovation provided much of the research and development needed for the StrongArm rescue tool. That, combined with the VOC research, birthed the StrongArm tool. Prototypes were put through their paces with the Charlotte (NC) Fire Department and Charlotte Fire Department Training Academy.”
Johnston adds that Hurst will continue to develop the StrongArm product line to provide additional rescue tools that answer unmet needs in the first responder community. “We’re conducting VOC research interviews now,” he says. “Stay tuned!”