Hurst Jaws of Life - Experts & Thought Leaders

HURST Jaws of Life®, part of IDEX Fire & Safety’s family of trusted brands, has announced the availability of E3 CONNECT, a tool line that integrates its eDRAULIC® 3.0 rescue tools with IDEX Fire & Safety’s smart vehicle platform Captium™ Cloud to detect, record and report on tool performance and potential issues. Unveiled at FDIC 2022, E3 Connect combines traditional rescue tool functionality with the modernization of WiFi to aid departments in managing and optimizing rescue tool readiness. E3 CONNECT E3 CONNECT allows the tool used to more easily comply with new NFPA requirements “Tool use documentation is automatic with E3 CONNECT, reducing manual data entry, inspection time, and potential downtime so rescue crews can be ready any time,” said Maria Hovanes, director of North American Loose Equipment & Tools for IDEX Fire & Safety. E3 CONNECT allows the tool used to more easily comply with new NFPA requirements for reporting and maintenance tracking through the Captium pre-recommended inspection checklist. a new generation of rescue tools HURST Jaws of Life’s eDRAULIC 3.0 rescue tools, or E3, launched in 2021 as a new generation of rescue tools. The powerful battery-powered extrication tools are fast, operational in both fresh and saltwater, and include a smart dashboard display that provides operators with real-time feedback on tool status. When Captium and E3 combine, rescue tool users have both power and intelligence to help them at the scene and back at the firehouse. “HURST Jaws of Life revolutionized the industry in 2010 with the first battery-powered rescue tool line,” Hovanes said. “E3 CONNECT continues the company’s tradition of innovation as the industry’s first fully-connected extrication tool line.”

HURST Jaws of Life® is once again arming first responders with a new rescue tool that will get them to the patient faster with the introduction of the M40 Spreader, a battery-powered spreader designed for heavy rescue applications. With a maximum opening width of 40 inches (101.9 cm), the M40 is the widest, battery-operated spreader in the market.  Author's quote “HURST Jaws of Life was the first to the fire and rescue market with the power and flexibility of battery-operated tools, and the launch of the M40 continues our tradition of asking and answering, ‘What’s next?’ ” said Maria Hovanes, director of North American Loose Equipment & Tools for HURST Jaws of Life, part of the IDEX Fire & Safety family of trusted brands. “As the widest battery-powered spreader on the market today, the HURST Jaws of Life M40 gives first responders, who have to act and think quickly, a tool that can lift a dash without cuts so they can get to the patient faster,” she said. Performance of battery power With arms that extend 40 inches and the performance of HURST Jaws of Life’s eDRAULIC battery power, the M40 cuts down the need for multiple moves during extrication; the arms have the reach and power to lift the dash, with no cuts required, allowing first responders to get to patients more quickly. The M40 is available in HURST Jaws of Life’s newest tool lines– eDRAULIC® 3.0 (E3) and E3 CONNECT. “The new HURST Jaws of Life M40 reflects the long-time leadership, rich history, and quality manufacturing that ensures first responders are ready at the scene,” Hovanes said. “The M40 once again affirms why HURST Jaws of Life is the most trusted brand in the industry.”

Leveraging a history of innovation and the connectivity of WiFi, HURST Jaws of Life® is launching E3 CONNECT, an evolution of its eDRAULIC® 3.0 line that adds automated performance alerts and centralized reports to help departments manage and optimize rescue tool readiness. E3 CONNECT "E3 CONNECT brings firefighters the speed, power, and performance they’ve come to expect from HURST Jaws of Life extrication tools, plus helps fire departments avoid tool downtime," said Britt Hawkins, Marketing Manager for HURST Jaws of Life. Britt Hawkins adds, "Tool use documentation is automatic with E3 CONNECT, reducing manual data entry, inspection time, and potential downtime, so rescue crews can be ready any time." IDEX Fire & Safety’s Captium™ Cloud HURST Jaws of Life integrates E3 CONNECT with IDEX Fire & Safety’s Captium™ Cloud to detect HURST Jaws of Life, part of IDEX Fire & Safety, integrates E3 CONNECT with IDEX Fire & Safety’s Captium™ Cloud, a smart vehicle platform, to detect, record and report on tool performance and potential issues. Information on such events as roll warnings, submersion (fresh and saltwater), tool drops, and battery conditions are captured and reported to the department.  NFPA requirements E3 CONNECT allows the tool user to more easily comply with new NFPA requirements for reporting and maintenance tracking through the Captium pre-recommended inspection checklist.  It informs users of upcoming preventative maintenance schedules, assists in requesting service appointments with HURST Jaws of Life service partners, and provides a centralized location for documentation of the maintenance service performed. eDRAULIC 3.0 E3 CONNECT builds on the 2021 launch of eDRAULIC 3.0, which features a smart tool dashboard that provides the tool operator with live, visual and easy-to-see tool feedback in three key areas: roll warnings, which assists the operator with cutter positioning; power level indicator, which alerts the user to real-time power level, so they can reposition the tool for another cut; and a battery charge status indicator, ensuring the operator is aware of runtime in real-time. E3 tools also offer more power than their predecessors through a user-controlled turbo function and a new, saltwater compatibility. EWXT line HURST Jaws of Life introduced the industry’s first rescue tool in the 1970s and revolutionized the industry again in 2010 The 2019 launch of the HURST Jaws of Life eDRAULIC Watertight Extrication Tool (EWXT) line was the first battery-powered tool completely operational when submerged in fresh water. HURST Jaws of Life introduced the industry’s first rescue tool in the 1970s and revolutionized the industry again in 2010 with the first battery-powered rescue tool line. E3 CONNECT continues the company’s tradition of innovation. 50th anniversary year "In 1972, HURST Jaws of Life brought the industry the first extrication tool, and we’re proud that we’ve continued to elevate the rescue tool industry ever since," said Britt Hawkins. Britt Hawkins adds, "It’s a testament to our spirit of innovation that in our 50th anniversary year we’re bringing first responders another first, and another solution, that helps ensure they’re ready to make the rescue at the scene."

Back in Indianapolis for the first time since 2019, FDIC International 2021 offered a full slate of conference sessions, hands-on training and equipment exhibitions. Attendance was down, but everyone appeared happy to be back at the show, after cancellations and delay caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Masking compliance was low, despite continuing concerns about COVID-19 and the Delta variant. There was little social distancing. In many respects, the show seemed back to normal. A highlight of the event was the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s (NFFF) 9/11 Stair Climb. It’s a way for attendees to honor and remember those in the fire service community, who gave their lives in the 9/11 tragedy. Hundreds of FDIC participants paid tribute by climbing or walking the equivalent of the 110 stories of the World Trade Center. MSA’s LUNAR hand-held device on display As always, safety was a huge theme at the FDIC exhibition, including development in hand-held tools As always, safety was a huge theme at the FDIC exhibition, including development in hand-held tools. MSA Safety displayed the new LUNAR hand-held device that helps keep firefighting teams connected, combining direction and distance information with thermal imaging to help find separated teammates and decrease response time. LUNAR uses cloud technology to increase fire-scene management capabilities for incident commanders. LUNAR can be used as a stand-alone device or as part of an MSA SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) system. Thermal imaging with edge detection identifies hot spots and ventilation points, so as to simplify navigation through low-visibility environments. Tethered drone and Reveal FirePRO X thermal camera FotoKite (Perspective Robotics AG), which has a joint development agreement with MSA Safety, featured a tethered drone that hovers over the site of an emergency, in order to provide networking capabilities through the tether for better connectivity. Seek Thermal offers the ‘smallest and lightest’ thermal imaging camera, available for US$ 799 and seeks to bring the benefits of thermal technology to every position on the fire team. The Reveal FirePRO X can now be charged using a four-station charging dock priced at US$ 399. The compact size makes the FirePRO X easy to carry and manage, while its high resolution and fast frame rate ensure superior images. Teledyne gas detection systems exhibited Teledyne displayed a range of gas detection systems, starting with the simple Protégé ZM carbon monoxide meter that can clip onto pockets, helmets, and EMS bags. A new product is the Gas Laser, a hand-held device that can quickly scan common venting points from a safe distance, in order to identify the presence of dangerous explosive gas. Teledyne recently acquired FLIR and the combined companies will provide a spectrum of imaging technologies and products spanning X-ray through infrared and from components to complete imaging systems. FDIC International’s Innovation Hub focused on new technologies coming to the fire service Innovation Hub FDIC International’s Innovation Hub focused on new technologies coming to the fire service, featured in a presentation theater on the show floor. Leading the initiative was SafeTech, a College Station, Texas-based non-profit organization, whose mission is to bring new technologies to first responders and armed forces. One featured company was Tracks North America, which provides unmanned vehicles with fork-lift capabilities. Another was Infysort, which makes superabsorbent pellets – ‘hyper-blown polypropylene sorbent nanomaterial’ that can absorb 50 to 60 times its weight in oil. Hale Products SAM control system HURST Jaws of Life demonstrated eDRAULIC 3.0, a new underwater power extrication tool The SAM control system, by Hale Products, is gaining in popularity, offering computerized/integrated water flow controls that manage a fire truck’s pump, tank, intakes and discharges using touch-screen display for simplified interface. The new SAM Smart Nozzle allows firemen to control flow from the end of the fire hose. HURST Jaws of Life demonstrated eDRAULIC 3.0, a new underwater power extrication tool that can withstand salt water. The Lifeline Firehose provides a source of continuous breathable air coming from the nozzle of a fire hose. The patented coupler design enables the continuous air supply, which can also be used to power air tools. Seeking to help small and medium fire departments replace paper documentation, incident management systems offer low-cost digitization. Environmental awareness From Rosenbauer A topic among fire apparatus companies is idle reduction systems designed to shut off the main engine in a fire apparatus when not needed, eliminating loud diesel engine noise and exhaust, while maintaining power for lighting and air conditioning, for example. It is a reflection of growing environmental concerns among fire manufacturers. For example, Rosenbauer’s Green Star system makes idle reduction easy, using electronic controls to shut down the chassis engine on-scene (if the fire pump is not engaged or no aerial operations under way), and starting a diesel-driven Auxiliary Power Unit (APU). Pierce Volterra zero-emissions pumpers The first Pierce Volterra zero-emissions pumper has been placed in service in Madison Pierce launched their Volterra platform of electric vehicles. The first Pierce Volterra zero-emissions pumper has been placed in service in Madison, Wisconsin. At FDIC International 2021, the Pierce booth included an electric vehicle technology kiosk and took attendees through the electric fire truck’s attributes. CMC Rescue Rope and Harness Systems CMC Rescue Inc. demonstrated rope and harness systems for rescue operations, including special duffle bags and access packs for easy transport of harnesses. The CMC Clutch is now available in 13 mm and 11 mm models, for hauling, lowering, ascending, descending, belaying and deploying twin-tension rope systems. The CMC Triskelion 10-foot tripod features rapid deployment, for example, over a hole where a rescue is taking place and is certified to NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) standards.