Firehouse Labs: Power Hawk Auto Crib-It Vehicle Stabilization Tool

On a 19 degree Fahrenheit day, Firehouse Labs met with representatives from Power Hawk Technologies at the Sussex County, NJ, Public Safety Academy to review the latest version of the company’s automatic cribbing devices for use during extrication incidents.

Power Hawk offers a range of extrication equipment, such as power spreaders and cutters and lifting/shoring devices. Our assignment was simple: See how the Auto Crib-Its perform as a stabilization tool. To truly put them to the test, we went through an extrication operation on a current model SUV to see how the devices perform while the vehicle is being destroyed.

Parallel and perpendicular positioning

The Auto Crib-It has two models that are streamlined to save space on the apparatus and can extend to 13 inches on the standard model and 17 inches on the larger model (designed for taller vehicles) when they are fully extended. Each boasts a maximum load strength of 10,000 lbs. per device at the highest notch.

Both devices can be used parallel and perpendicular to the vehicle that’s being stabilized and can be applied when vehicles are resting on their side or roof. When more height is needed on scene, the Auto Crib-It can be utilized with other cribbing stacks for higher stabilization needs. The devices have a piston-actuated extender system that automatically rises to engage the working surface and locks into place.

The devices are made from high-strength aluminum and other metal parts, which make them easy to decontaminate after an incident.

The review

The evolutions that were performed included stabilizing a vehicle on its side and on its wheels, a door removal, post-displacement and removal, and dash displacement. During the evolutions, each device was put directly in line with the forces that were applied from the hydraulic equipment. Each device provided a secure platform for the hydraulic tool to transfer energy downward.

While components of the vehicle were being displaced and removed, the devices automatically adjusted to the height of the vehicle surface and locked into place in the next notch. The entire side of the vehicle was removed all while the devices continued to provide stability for the vehicle during each evolution.

The auto-stabilizing technology allows members to focus on the task at hand—quickly removing the patients—without requiring members to stand by with additional cribbing to keep the vehicle stable. This enhances responder/patient safety.

When the evolutions were completed, all equipment was cleaned very easily, and the devices collapsed and were stowed into the staged position and secured with the built-in locking tab to keep them from deploying accidentally.

The take-away

The Power Hawk Auto Crib-Its provided continued strength and support for the rescuers while they displaced and removed the side of the vehicle. The capability of the devices to automatically set and lock as a vehicle is lifted or raised because of the removal of heavy components allows for more efficient use of critical personnel on the rescue scene tending to other tasks. Easily stowed until the next deployment—and in a space that’s much smaller than that which is required to carry cribbing—and eliminating the potential need for trips to and from the rig for cribbing, the Auto Crib-It certainly has earned the right to be considered for a spot on the next extrication that your department might respond to, because it has earned the Firehouse Labs seal of approval.