In the next few weeks, the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) will finish delivering new vehicle extrication tools, commonly known as the “Jaws of Life,” to 14 rural Alaskan Fire and EMS agencies.
The tools help first responders “remove crash victims quickly and safely during the critical first hour after a serious motor vehicle accident.” Jaws of Life are critical for saving people trapped in crashed vehicles from freezing temperatures and getting them necessary medical care.
According to a press release, the rural volunteer Fire and EMS departments who have received the tools are already making use of them in the field. One example: “A rural volunteer fire department responded to a nighttime motor vehicle crash involving a tractor trailer in Interior Alaska, where two occupants and their pet were trapped inside their vehicle after it came to rest against trees. With temperatures near -25°F, responders used one of the newly provided extrication tools to clear debris and open a door within minutes, allowing the occupants and their pet to be safely removed and evaluated by medics.”
Yakutat, Wrangell, Hollis, Chugiak, Cooper Landing, Delta Junction, Nenana, and Deltana received these life-saving tools as part of the DOT&PF’s Partners in Safety initiative. Most of the extrication tools have been delivered, and the remainder is to be delivered within the next few weeks.