Technology all around us is constantly advancing and we as emergency responders must keep up. Nothing is the same as it used to be, specifically vehicles. We all know how the comfortability, design and luxuries have evolved but what most don’t see are the technologies that hold the car together.

All of our newer cars are built with much stronger components that in the past were fairly easy to understand and defeat. All emergency responders as well as tool manufacturers have had to continually educate ourselves on what materials these newer vehicles contain as well as train on updated ways to remove a person from that vehicle in the event of a serious accident. Thorndale Fire Company brought in MES Fire and Hurst to demonstrate updated tools that help us accomplish these tasks.

Since the 1970’s high strength steel comprised roughly 4% of a vehicle, nine years ago that number was 12% and these days it’s 33%. Because of the FSV (Future Steel Vehicle) program that developed fully engineered, steel-intensive designs for electrified vehicles, that percentage is anticipated to increase three times by the year 2020. This is great news for safety of the occupants, but conversely it means that we must constantly adapt to the ever-changing environment. Old methods of vehicle extrication won’t always work on newer cars.

The company was able to get hands on with the new Hurst EDraulic line of battery powered tools. These tools are powered by a 25-volt battery and require no other power or hoses and are lighter, smaller and stronger than tools of the past. Due to the increased ease of use, it also requires less rescuers to operate which equates to more efficient and effective operations on the scene of an emergency.

Special thanks to MES representatives and instructors Steve Miller and John Sileski who took the time to work late and introduce the company to the specifications and abilities of the new Hurst EDraulic tools. Also special thanks to Flings Towing who provided the cars and clean up that made the demonstration possible.