Firefighters aim at funding new Jaws

June 20, 2013 · 0 Comments

Shelburne and District Firefighters are offering the public a chance to help save someone’s life while, at the same time, winning an opportunity to become the owner of an ATV and trailer with a combined retail value of $7,200.

Actually, the S & D Firefighters Association (SDFA) is striving to meet what could become a dire need for a new Jaws of Life. The members are offering draw tickets on a 2013 Arctic Cat 400 4×4 with a 2013 utility trailer for $5 each. There is a second prize of $500 in the Oct. 5 draw.

Only 5,000 tickets have been printed, so the odds of winning are better than any of the OLG lotteries. Proceeds will help pay for a $30,000-or-so Jaws.

Firefighter Capt. Ed Walsh said the department has two Jaws of Life now, both of which have recently been certified for use. So why does it need a third?

One of the Jaws is 35 years old, he said, and the manufacturer would no longer be able to offer any sort of maintenance or repair, should that be needed.

A third Jaws would mean that the department’s Rescue Vehicle would have the latest equipment, in addition to which there would be a second, serviceable, unit and the third unit – the one that’s certified but for which repairs would not be available if it should break down – would serve as a backup.

“We would never be without (Jaws). We could be on two calls and still have a backup,” said Capt. Walsh at the SDFA display at Shelburne’s Classic Car Show & Street Festival last Saturday.

He said this fundraiser would be the second time the SDFA has raised money to purchase a Jaws of Life.

The first time was 35 years ago to obtain the first Jaws the department has had.

One never knows how quickly a firefighter or paramedic might be needed.

During this interview, there was a call for help as a child had taken a spill at one of the Main Street displays and sustained an apparently serious head injury.

It took the firefighters about three seconds to check their equipment and then to rush off to assist the child.

No one knows to whom an accident might happen, or when. Your $5 draw ticket could win you a great 4×4 combination, or $500 – or it might help purchase equipment used to save your very own life.

By Wes Keller