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Rockland Fire Department Invests in Res-Q-Jacks |
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 Rockland Fire Department
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The Rockland Fire Department has taken delivery of a vehicle stabilization kit to make extrication of vehicle accident victims safer for both the patients and the rescuers. The system made by Res-Q-Jack of Elmira, NY allows rescuers to secure vehicles in the position they are found, including cars turned on their sides, on their roofs or virtually any position that renders the vehicle unstable. This will be the first stabilization system of its type in the Knox County area.
The system is made up of four telescopic steel tubes that secure in multiple lengths between 36 and 96 inches. These tubes are secured to the vehicle on an angle by two lower straps and an upper connection or chain thereby affixing the vehicle into position. This is especially important where extrication requires numerous persons or hydraulic equipment which threatens to topple an unstable vehicle. In the past, personnel have utilized many other means to secure unstable vehicles, ranging from the use of winches, come-a-longs and rope to wooden blocking. While these makeshift methods were effective, they are generally more time consuming and do not provide the same margin of safety as the new system does.
The new Res-Q-Jack system will be part of Rockland’s rescue arsenal which primarily will be stored on the new Squad 3 which will be in service later this month. As with all FD assets, they can and will be utilized to assist neighboring agencies throughout the Knox County Mutual Aid System.
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