The Snegobolotohod is based at Moscow's Strogino Beach where it is estimated up to 200 people fish on the frozen river for ice every day at this time of the year.

It was described by Alexander Gopov of Moscow's Emergencies Ministry as, "a fully Russian development" that can "easily overcome" obstacles in forests, water and ice.

Police said a 32-year-old Grant woman's vehicle slid through the stop sign at the exit and struck the ambulance, which was traveling east on Perry Street.

The first vehicle slid due to speed and poor weather conditions, police said.

The Grant woman was pinned in her car and had to be extricated by Big Rapids Township Fire Rescue.

Falling traffic fatality rates over the past 25 years can be attributed to the use of high-tensile steel and high strength composite materials in modern cars. The higher vehicle stability achieved by using these materials, however, becomes a problem in the event of an accident where a passenger becomes trapped in wreckage. Rescue tools that are currently available, such as power, plasma or hydraulic rescue cutters require a lot of time to cut through the high strength materials, or even fail in certain cases.

The compact laser unit is intended to be used when conventional rescue tools are insufficient on their own. With the new system, it will be possible to cut modern materials in a short time, or simply broach them so that they can be cut faster with conventional tools.

The collaboration will also investigate whether the safety of using lasers at the site of an accident can be guaranteed. Scientists will evaluate which measures must be taken to protect rescue teams, accident victims and other people at the scene. This could involve the use safety curtains, mats and protection glasses.

Garrett said that, as of right now, full-time operations are expected to begin on Dec. 15. The total cost of the project is approximately $305,000 with Washington Township contributing roughly half of that number.

With this new station, the GFD will share a building with the Greensburg Police Department at 201 S. Broadway. The fire department will be stationed near the back of the building, which will also be connected to a large bay, allowing the storage of one fire engine. Garrett also mentioned that two firefighters and one EMT stationed at the new facility.