McCutchenville tests new extrication equipment

PHOTO BY JACOB GURNEY Kurt Schoenfeld (center back) of Howell Rescue Systems shows how to use a cutter during a training exercise Wednesday evening. McCUTCHENVILLE — McCutchenville Volunteer Fire Department tested its new Genesis hydraulic rescue tools at its fire station Wednesday evening. McCutchenville Volunteer Fire Department Chief Robbie Miller said the department paid for the set through a fall party fundraiser that contributes to the McCutchenville Volunteer Fireman's Fund. He said the chicken barbecue raffle the second weekend every November raised the $28,100 cost of the set. The set includes a spreader, cutter, mini cutter, 31-inch ram and accessories to make the equipment work. Kurt Schoenfeld, of Howell Rescue Systems, delivered the equipment and lead the training exercise, which included ways to stabilize a vehicle as well as more efficient ways to extricate with the new tools. Schoenfeld showed how to remove the whole side of a car in the same number of steps and the same amount of time it usually takes for one door. During the training, Schoenfeld said the system exerts 10,500 pounds per square inch and the cutter has a 365,000-pound cutting force. Miller said increased efficiency was a main reason the department chose to purchase the system. "The older equipment that we were using couldn't cut through some materials we were encountering," he said. "A lot of the new cars have stronger metals in them that we weren't able to cut through." "This new equipment makes it more efficient, quicker and easier to cut through," he said. Miller also said officials decided on the brand because it is similar to what Sycamore Volunteer Fire and Rescue uses and McCutchenville will be consolidating with Sycamore sometime this year. "We wanted to get equipment that is similar to what Sycamore has and that's the main reason we chose it," he said. "This way, if we need two spreaders or cutters for something, they can hook theirs up to ours and it will still work." The car used for the training was donated by Danner's and was delivered by D&D Total Repair, Miller said.