Overton Adds Equipment To Help With Rescues

Overton County Emergency Response Services adding new extrication equipment to improve response times and raise rescue rates.

Livingston Fire Chief Rocky Dial said the equipment has been distributed to the department. Dial noted that employees reported the previous extrication tools were outdated, with some departments lacking any equipment entirely.

“It was something that was greatly needed with the provided safety and protection for the employees,” Dial said. “When they’re doing extrication in the event of a vehicle catching fire or something, it would give them protection on that and helps them from blood-borne pathogens.”

Dial said the equipment includes a new basket stretcher now attached to the vehicle. He said that the basket features updated straps, including carrier straps designed to secure patients with restraints. Dial also said the department received new boots for all firefighters.

“The employees over there, the boots that they wear during the extrication was extremely old and some of them did not have any at all,” Dial said. “So those needed to be replaced for the safety of employees over there.”

Dial said the equipment will assist in retrieving and transporting patients through rough terrain. He said the extrication equipment total cost was around sixty-thousand dollars. Dial also said none of this would have been possible without the support from the state of Tennessee.

“We just want to thank the state of Tennessee and for allowing us to apply and be awarded this grant and it helps out a tremendous amount in our community.”