By Jeff Patrus
Staff Writer
Brandon Twp.-Sgt. Mike Faust of the Brandon Township Fire Department estimates the department uses the ‘Jaws of Life? on 75 percent of its runs.
With one particular piece of equipment being used so often, the department thought it was important to make sure its firefighters and fire medics know how to use it correctly.
Therefore, the department held a patient handling and extrication training session Oct. 25 at Brandon Township Fire Station #2, 3065 Sashabaw, Brandon Township.
‘We do total department training once a year,? said Faust, who has been with the department 30 years. ‘The extrication team trains more often just to keep us refreshed on operating extrication tools and dismantling cars.?
He said both of the township’s fire stations have a set of ‘Jaws of Life? equipment ready to go whenever they are called out on a run.
With the number of times the equipment is used, Faust said it is tough to remember each and every situation. However, one incident came to mind involving a girl, who was to get married later in the week, trapped inside her convertible as a result of a car accident on Baldwin Road.
‘We used the jaws to get her out of the convertible, and prodded the door open,? he said.