$5,000 Donation Helps Kick Off Jaws Of Life Campaign

An anonymous $5,000 donation is helping to kick off the fundraiser for the Neligh-Oakdale Jaws of Life.

According to Assistant Chief Dave Jacobsen, the current Jaws of Life is 33 years old and not strong enough to pry apart new cars.

"As car technology has advanced, the steel in the car's supports are getting stronger and stronger," Jacobsen said. "Our old tools are not able to cut those anymore."

Jacobsen said the Jaws of Life is important to rescue people trapped in vehicles after a car accident.

"In a crash, the way cars are made today, they collapse upon themselves to protect the patient," Jacobsen said. "But while it does that, it takes special tools to unwrap the car around the patient."

The total cost of the new equipment is $21,000. The new equipment the Jaws of Life is looking at is actually a year old and a demo set, which is more economical to purchase, Jacobsen said.

He said the Neligh-Oakdale Jaws of Life is a separate entity from both the Neligh and Oakdale Fire Departments and doesn't rely on tax funds to operate.

"We cover the Oakdale district, we cover Neligh district and part of Brunswick," said Jacobsen.

To help in the fundraising effort, a pancake feed is planned for November 22. The squad is also accepting donations.

Donations can be mailed to Neligh-Oakdale Jaws of Life, P.O.B. 251 Neligh, NE 68756.