In keeping with the City of Palm Coast's overall management strategy, the Palm Coast Fire Department has 14 employee teams that take the lead in everyday operational planning.
One of the newest teams within the department, the Equipment Team, has completed its first major project – to introduce new, battery-operated extrication equipment for use during motor vehicle accidents. These tools are designed for rapid intervention in vehicle rescue and the extrication of trapped victims, according to a city media release.
"We instituted the team concept to oversee many area of operations," said Deputy Chief Jerry Forte in the release. "Since 2012 we have had teams oversee apparatus design, public education and Insurance Service Office (ISO) grading."
The new Equipment Team was created by the Deputy Fire Chief last year to assess whether current equipment was still relevant to today's operations and to recommend improvements for the future. The team joined with another Fire Department team, the Apparatus Team, to evaluate the current tools' effectiveness and the ergonomics of deployment from fire trucks at emergency scenes and to try new tools now available on the market. The team did in-depth research, including many hours of hands-on practice with options newer to the market the release states.
"Our team wanted to try something new," said Firefighter Adam Bachman, leader for the project, in the release. "After meeting with several manufacturers and testing their equipment, we selected the Holmatro extrication tools from their Greenline brand. We are being progressive by choosing battery-powered, cordless tools that are safer for rescuers to use and quicker for helping victims."
Three battery-powered extrication tools from Holmatro have been installed on one of Palm Coast Fire Department's engines. The tools are spreaders used to separate metal, commonly known as the "Jaws of Life," cutters that are used to cut door ,hinges and through the post of a vehicle; and a combination tool that performs both functions. A second set of battery-powered tools have been ordered and will be installed in another Palm Coast fire engine the coming months.
———
©2017 The News-Journal, Daytona Beach, Fla.
Visit The News-Journal, Daytona Beach, Fla. at www.news-journalonline.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
