Office of Traffic Safety Awards $80,000 Grant to Willow Oak Fire Protection District for New Emergency Response Equipment

 

Willow Oak Fire Protection District announced today that it has received a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to purchase new extrication equipment. Known as the “jaws of life,” these specialized tools enable first responders to safely rescue crash victims trapped inside vehicles.

"We are incredibly grateful for this grant, which will allow us to purchase state-of-the-art rescue tools and provide training to first responders that is critical for the care of people injured in crashes,” said Fire Chief Marcus Klinkhammer. “These tools will significantly impact our ability to protect and serve our community, allowing us to respond even more effectively in times of crisis.”

 Why This Matters

• Post-crash care saves lives. Delays in providing expedient care can reduce survival chances.
• Federal data shows urgency. Forty-two percent of people killed in car crashes were alive when first responders arrived.
• New equipment increases survival. Hydraulic “jaws of life” tools will help first responders deliver life-saving measures faster, improving outcomes for patients trapped in vehicles.

Funding

This program is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.