NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Santa Barbara County Fire Department was awarded a $74,000.00 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for the purchase of new battery powered extrication equipment that will be used to rescue crash victims. Known as the “Jaws of Life,” first responders use these rescue tools to break apart a wrecked vehicle with victims trapped inside. The tools help reduce the time it takes to rescue and treat crash victims.
So far this year, Santa Barbara County Fire has responded to 475 vehicle accidents in which 28 required extrication.
“This newer equipment is lighter and easier to use, allowing us to rescue victims faster, which ultimately increases their chances of survival,” said Santa Barbara County Fire Department Operations Division Chief Woody Enos. “In many cases, even minutes without treatment can be a matter of life and death, which is why it is important to have reliable equipment that allows first responders to provide care as quickly as possible.”
Delays in extrication can negatively impact the patient’s critical “golden hour” of trauma survivability. The “golden hour” for Emergency Medical Services is the core principle of rapid intervention in trauma cases: 1) get to the patient quickly, 2) treat what can be treated on scene, and 3) quickly get the patient to the right hospital. Anything that can be done to reduce each of these time periods aids in patient survival and recovery.
“With the 2 sets of battery powered extrication tools that were purchased with last year’s OTS grant we have seen a significant reduction in on scene times and improved patient outcomes. We are looking forward to adding 2 additional sets to the County.” said Adam Estabrook, Santa Barbara County Battalion Chief and Program Director of the grant.
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Contact Information:
Captain Daniel Bertucelli
Information Officer
Office 805-681-5531
Cell 805-896-6336
News Line 805-681-5546
Email [email protected]
Twitter @SBCFireInfo
All Santa Barbara County Fire Department News Releases are available at www.sbcfire.com
Serving the cities of Buellton, Goleta, and Solvang, and the Communities of Casmalia, Cuyama, Gaviota, Hope Ranch,
Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Mission Canyon, Mission Hills, Orcutt, Santa Maria, Sisquoc, and Vandenberg Village
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