City of Lamoni

LVFD Gets New "Jaws of Life" Hurst Tools

March 25, 2024

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The Lamoni Volunteer Fire Department - Chief, Curt Shields coordinated the annual inspection of the department’s extrication tools. They were serviced, inspected, and were certified for continued use. However, the next time they were used, the hydraulic pump wouldn’t stay running. Come to find out the service tech forgot to reset something that caused the pump to disengage.

Upon further review, it was noted that the equipment was 20 years old. Chief Shields began researching an upgrade. In that search, a battery-operated unit was located. This would eliminate the need for a motorized engine all together and would not have the cords that were tethered, making the unit so much easier to use and to maneuver on scene. The vendor came down for a demonstration to the entire department. Having only been show, but not actually cut anything, that demonstrator unit that could be purchased at a steep discount. Shields wrote a Local Option Sales Tax fund request form for the City Council’s consideration. The motion to purchase passed unanimously.

Chief Shields said, “The Fire Department is so fortunate to have the support of the Mayor and Council in making this purchase. This equipment is so much easier to use and makes a scene a lot more efficient to work.”

That equipment was purchased and put into use by the department shortly after. The first real test of that equipment came on the morning of Friday – February 16th. There was a serious accident at Hwy 2 and I35, when a semi failed to stop at a stop sign and was struck by a garbage truck resulting the entrapment of 2 people. Lamoni’s Rescue team was called for the extraction.

The new Hurst tools were extremely effective and were the difference in saving these two individuals. They were easier to handle, more powerful than the ones we have had, and functioned beautifully.

“We never want to have to use this equipment, but when it is needed, literally, lives are on the line. Lamoni Fire has already saved two individuals by their efforts to keep state of the are equipment and training. I cannon commend them enough for their professionalism” – said Mayor Doug Foster.