The Ripon Consolidated Fire District is among agencies that recently received a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety to go towards the purchase of new extrication equipment.

Known as the “jaws of life,” local first responders will have a specialized tool to safely rescue crash victims trapped inside of a vehicle.

The $165,000 grant was also shared with the French Camp Fire District / Mountain House Fire, Montezuma Fire District, and the Escalon Fire District.

“We are incredibly grateful for this grant, which will allow us to purchase state-of-the-arts rescue tools and provide training to first responders that is critical for the care of people injured in crashes,” said French Camp Fire Chief Jason Fullmer.

According to National Fire Incident Reporting System data, there were more than 55,000 crashes across the country involved vehicle extrication in 2022.

Post-crash care is vital in preventing serious injuries from turning deadly, with delays in providing expedient care impacting survival chances.

“These tools will significantly impact our ability to protect and serve our community, allowing us to respond even more effectively in times of crisis,” Fullmer said.

He noted that reducing the time it takes to get to the patient while treating what can be treated and transporting the patient to the hospital can be the difference between life and death.

According to federal data, 42 percent of people who were killed in car crashes were alive when first responders arrived. The new “jaws of life” hydraulic rescue tools will help them deliver life-saving measures for patients trapped in vehicles, in turn, significantly increasing their chances of survival.

Funding for the program was made possible by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety via the National Highway Safety Administration.