Neligh-Oakdale Jaws Of Life Trains With New Equipment

It was a first for the Neligh-Oakdale Jaws of Life team. And it's training members hope they never have to use.

About a dozen members of the Neligh-Oakdale Jaws of Life squad recently went through training using all three tools from their new truck simultaneously. It was the first time they've used the cutter, spreader and combination tools at the same time, which shows the ability of their new truck.

While that might not seem like a big deal to some, it could be the difference in a life or death situation.
By being able to use three tools at the same time, Jaws of Life officials said they may be able to extricate occupants from several different vehicles at the same time if there is a multi-vehicle accident.

The team trained on March 28 near Oakdale on one car as team members, several of whom just recently joined the Jaws of Life, opened up the car using the tools. New members are Ross Potter, Brian Hain, and Daniel Parker.

Officials said the training tested ability of using all three tools at the same time with the pump on the new truck, as well as provided valuable experience for new members.