Shelby, N.C. (February 1, 2022) – HURST Jaws of Life^® , a business unit of IDEX Fire & Safety, is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the revolutionary Jaws of Life brand in 2022. The company whose hero tool founded the modern-day rescue tool industry is marking its half-century milestone with a celebratory logo, challenge coins, patches and more.

“HURST Jaws of Life has been an icon for the rescue tool industry for 50 years, and we’re proud to celebrate this incredible anniversary along with our dealers who serve as  ambassadors for the brand and the first responders who rely on the tools to save lives,” said Britt Hawkins, manager, marketing services, HURST Jaws of Life.

In honor of the event, HURST Jaws of Life has created a custom logo along with commemorative challenge coins and patches that will be distributed throughout the year. As the anniversary campaign looks back on 50 years of saving lives, it also recognizes the family heritage of first responders, where generations of families work together and children often follow in the footsteps of their parents and grandparents. 

The history of HURST Jaws of Life rescue tools began when innovator George Hurst, the manufacturer of Hurst shifters and a racing enthusiast, devised a prototype tool to extricate auto racers from high-speed wrecks. In 1972, less than a year later, the HURST Power Tool debuted to the public with production of the model JL-32, which soon was helping first responders extricate everyday drivers from roadside accidents. It gained popularity among firefighters, emergency technicians and law enforcement, and it was soon monikered and then trademarked as the Jaws of Life. 

Since the original spreaders debuted, HURST Jaws of Life has expanded the rescue tool portfolio to also include cutters, combination tools, rescue rams and accessories to help first responders stay safe at the scene. Today’s tools are smaller and lightweight, and they can cut, spread, lift and breach metal, wood and rebar on vehicles and structures to allow first responders to get to entrapped people and save their lives.

Over the years, the company has continually raised the bar on rescue tool power and performance. It introduced the industry’s first battery-powered extrication tool line, eDRAULIC^®, in 2010, allowing first responders tool operation unencumbered by hoses and generators. It next invented StrongArm^®, a battery-powered multitool that fits easily in the trunk of a law enforcement vehicle and operates quietly enough for SWAT team use. In 2019, HURST Jaws of Life launched eDRAULIC Watertight Extrication Tool (EWXT), the first battery-operated tool line to operate completely submerged in fresh water. In 2021, HURST Jaws of Life debuted eDRAULIC 3.0, a revolutionary extrication tool line offering turbo power, a smart dashboard and fresh and saltwater compatibility.    

“HURST Jaws of Life has been equipping heroes for 50 years, and we look forward to bringing continued innovation and first-to-market solutions to the rescue industry for years to come,” Hawkins said.

About HURST Jaws of Life

HURST is the only manufacturer of the Jaws of Life^® brand. There is no equal to saving lives. The company’s commitment to research and development and dedication to quality engineering and manufacturing has resulted in a line of innova

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The Nichols Hills (OK), Bethany, and Oklahoma City fire departments recently teamed up to make a seven-year-old’s day.

Jaxson Lee was a heart patient at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health for a few months, but he was released Monday, reports cbaustin.com, and departed in style.

A lover of firefighters, Lee, decked out in firefighting gear, was driven home on a Bethany apparatus while escorted by the Oklahoma City Police Department.

See photos below:

The Alpharetta (GA) Fire Department recently took delivery of and christened its new quint.

The apparatus is a 2021 Pierce Ascendant an Enforcer chassis, and it carries 400 gallons of water, has a 1,500-gpm pump, a 107’ ladder, and Whelen lighting.

The quint will be housed at Station 83 on Westside Parkway.

“That new car smell doesn’t compete with the New Quint smell!!

“On Thursday the City received a awesome piece of equipment known as a Quint. A Quint is an apparatus that combines the equipment of a ladder truck and an Engine. With us getting this new Quint it allows us to continue to provide the same service to the citizens as we always have, but since it also has a ladder we are able to enhance that service by providing a second ladder within the city to respond to emergencies.

“Our new Quint is a 2021 Pierce Mfg Ascendant truck on an Enforcer Chassis. This truck carries 400 Gallons of water, has a 1500 GPM pump, a 107’ ladder, and the latest and greatest in Whelen Engineering Company, Inc. in lighting. This unit will run out of station 83 located on Westside Pkwy.

“To inaugurate Quint 83 the fire department conducted a “Hose Down” and a “Push Back” both dating back to the early days of horse drawn fire apparatuses. Back in the 1800’s, when fire companies returning from a fire would hose down their horses to cool and wash them before pushing the horse-drawn steam engine back into the bay. Today, we use the ceremony to dedicate a new apparatus into the service of the department and its citizens.

“#AlpharettaDPS #AlpharettaFire #NewQuint #OnlytheBest”