Rescue Operations

The 2014 winter season has been extremely harsh across the U.S. — with all-time records being set for low temperatures, snowfall and ice on waterways. For example, more than 90 percent of the Great Lakes were frozen, the most since 1963, according to NOAA.

Situations like extricating victims from a motor vehicle crash or removing them from a trench present many unique challenges to the emergency responder — not the least of which is stabilizing the situation.

Automakers use two types of glass: tempered and laminated. Tempered glass has commonly been used for the side and rear windows, while laminated glass was reserved for windshields.

In the beginning there was the Hurst Hydraulic Rescue Tool — the Jaws of Life — and extricating patients from motor vehicle crashes has never been the same.

Power saws have been an important part of the firefighter's tool cadre for many years. Today, most departments carry a variety of power saws including, but not limited to circular or rotary saws, chainsaws, and reciprocating saws.

The scope of operations for many fire and emergency services organizations has expanded greatly over the past 50 years or so. First came the delivery of emergency medical services; this was followed by response and management of hazardous-materials incidents.

The fire service has always been an evolving business that has seen its mission and focus change in many ways over the years. Along with these changes, firefighters have developed a reputation for being adept at acquiring new skills and adapting technologies from other fields.