October 21, 2022
FOR IMMEDITATE RELEASE
Escondido Fire Department Demonstrates Life Saving Tools to Supervisor Desmond
Escondido, CA –The Escondido Fire Department recently received a grant from the San Diego Regional Fire Foundation for a set of new battery-powered extrication tools valued at $34,653. This generous donation was made to the Escondido Fire Department by the San Diego Regional Fire Foundation and County Supervisor Jim Desmond’s Office.
The Escondido Fire Department provided a demonstration of the new equipment at Escondido Fire’s training facility for Supervisor Jim Desmond, Escondido Mayor Paul McNamara, San Diego Regional Fire Foundation’s Executive Director Joan Jones, and Board Chairman Frank Ault on October 17,2022.
Firefighters demonstrated how the new tools are commonly used at the scene of traffic accidents to free trapped occupants by either cutting, spreading, or pinching metal parts of the vehicle.
The new battery-powered extrication tools require virtually no setup time, are significantly quieter than hydraulic tools, and produce no exhaust. Without the need for a heavy gas-powered hydraulic pump, the battery-powered tools are also lighter and can be easily carried down a hill to a vehicle that has left the road over an embankment.
After the demonstration, Supervisor Desmond and Mayor McNamara donned protective gear and tried their hand at using the new equipment. Both the Supervisor and the Mayor were able to cut through pillars on the car so that the roof could be removed to provide paramedics easy access to victims trapped in a car.
Thank you to Supervisor Desmond and the San Diego Regional Fire Foundation’s assistance in purchasing the lifesaving equipment.
About the San Diego Regional Fire Foundation
The San Diego Regional Fire Foundation, which supports the entire County, has worked diligently since 1989 to make San Diego the safest county in the nation. This is accomplished by improving the system of fire and emergency services, making sure every resident, no matter where they live, has the same quality service from our first responders.
“We could not have provided $7 million of fire, medical, rescue, and communications equipment and training, or funded over 40 fire safe councils’ efforts to prevent fires, without the generous support of local individuals, businesses, and foundations. I am proud that all we have accomplished is as a result of a tremendous community team effort.” Frank Ault, San Diego Regional Fire Foundation Board Chairman.
