American Legion donates rescue tools to fire department

Historic City News has learned that American Legion Post 37 has purchased five hi-lift rescue jacks that will be donated to the St Augustine Fire Department to aid first responders in freeing crash victims trapped by automobiles or other heavy objects.

The jacks give firefighters access to vehicle compartments, such as automobile hoods and trunks, quickly and with ease at a crash scene; providing a much needed advantage in dangerous extrication maneuvers.

“Using a rescue jack, we can remove obstructions such as pedals, steering columns, and other interior obstructions, with a safe and controlled movement,” Chance Hines told Historic City News today. “The rescue jack offers multiple options to aid entrapped patients, creating access and egress for patient removal in seconds without having to connect hoses, or deploy heavy extrication tools or pumps.

The cost of the jacks was just over $200 each. The American Legion will present the five donated rescue jacks to the city fire department during a brief ceremony Thursday morning in front of the Legion hall located at 1 Anderson Circle in St Augustine.