Battery-Powered Rescue Tools for Vehicle Extrication
Battery-powered rescue tools for vehicle extrication, including spreading, cutting, and spreading/cutting combination tools, are used by emergency responders to create greater access to persons trapped within vehicles by spreading or removing areas of damaged vehicle from around them. The National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) manages the Systems Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders (SAVER) program which conducted an operationally-oriented assessment of six commercial off-the-shelf extrication tools—three cutters and three spreaders—based on recommendations derived at a focus group of emergency responders. This video summarizes results from the assessment and the responders’ feedback on each product’s overall capabilities and limitations. (DHS Video by Science & Technology Directorate/Released)