Fentress Adding Portable Extraction Equipment to Fire Departments

Three Fentress County Fire Departments are getting vehicle extraction equipment.

Jamestown Fire Chief Larry Cooper said the departments responded to 129 accidents last year. Cooper said this portable extraction equipment will allow better access for emergencies off main roads.

Cooper said three trucks will be outfitted with the newly approved equipment.

“We’ll work with the rescue squad, we want them to use this,” Cooper said. “A lot of the times when we get to a scene our trucks are there before their vehicle gets there. So, if they’re there waiting on their truck to get there, all they’ve got to do is walk up to this truck , pick it up and start using it.”

Cooper said this equipment comes with a two-day training course from the supplier. One battery charge on the extraction equipment can cut into two vehicles during an emergency.

The total cost for the extraction equipment is $47,802.