Chicago Fire Department Shows Off New eDRAULIC Jaws Of Life
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Chicago Fire Department is showing off its new "Jaws of Life" - which officials say are lighter, more versatile and more powerful than what they've been using, reports WBBM's Steve Miller.
They're called eDRAULICs, and firefighters cut apart a car to show them in action.
"It's the new generation of hydraulic rescue tools," Larry Anderson.
Anderson, a training specialist for Hurst Jaws of Life, says they're better than the old Jaws of Life.
They're battery-powered, not engine powered, so they're ready to go right away at the scene.
Anderson says they're more powerful when rescuers need to extricate people from an accident.
"This is the hydraulic cutter. It's got a 7-and-a-half-inch opening. And it's designed for the new types of steel in today's vehicles. Today's vehicles are tremendously strong."
Don Hroma, director of training at the Chicago Fire Academy, says Chicago is leading the world.
"First in the world to have all-eDRAULIC tools on all of our truck companies," Hroma said. "Pretty impressive."