Board approves donation of equipment to Riverside fire
The Board of Supervisors today authorized the Riverside County Fire Department to accept a donation of rescue gear valued at $14,000 for training on extrication techniques employed during vehicle crashes.
In a 5-0 vote without comment, the board signed off on fire Chief Dan Talbot’s request to take possession of the Honda Ex Demo Extrication Tool Set, which will be assigned to the Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center in Riverside for future training exercises.
“The transfer is beneficial for the fire department, as well as the surrounding cities and unincorporated areas,” according to an agency statement.
The jaws-of-life equipment consists of a power unit, hydraulic hoses and couplers, two cutters and two metal spreaders, as well as a ramming device.
Wisconsin-based TNT Rescue Systems Inc. made the donation under arrangements not disclosed in county documents.
According to fire officials, the gear will be most useful in sharpening firefighters’ skills to deal with vehicular crashes when occupants are wedged inside the wreckage, though the tools can also be used for training in any light rescue scenario in which crews are trying to maneuver in confined spaces.
The equipment comes with a lifetime warranty and will cost about $500 annually to maintain, according to the fire department.
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