New tools cuts extrication time in half for Sharon Fire Department

SHARON, Tenn. — One local fire department has a new addition to the force that will help them cut down on the time it takes to save lives.

The Sharon Fire Department has been using their car extraction tools for more than 20 years, and Chief Gary Eddings said they are not able to cut through the modern cars.

“The newer-style vehicles are built with more safety features and high tensile steel, and our tools on some of the vehicles it just will not cut the patient out of a car in a timely manner,” Chief Eddings said.

Tuesday night the fire department begins training with the new car extraction tool, first approved by the Sharon City Board Monday night.

It is a multipurpose tool that can stretch and cut.

“And most of the time on an extrication you use just this one tool alone to extricate a patient out,” Chief Eddings said.

With this new tool, firefighters will be able to cut through cars in half the time, allowing more time to save people’s lives.

“Hit the battery switch and it starts operating immediately, time saving on a life event when you got a car crash and a trapped victim,” Chief Eddings said.

The department is working to apply for more grants to complete their extrication set, which includes five to six different tools.