Lompoc firefighters show their new rescue equipment, set out on long tables, during a recent Lompoc City Council meeting. (Courtesy photo)
Lompoc firefighters show their new rescue equipment during a recent Lompoc City Council meeting. (Courtesy photo)

The Lompoc City Fire Department has been able to purchase a full set of emergency rescue tools, thanks to a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety.

The $75,000 grant was used to buy tools to extricate people from auto crashes. The new set includes spreaders, cutters, a combination tool and a ram.

The tools are electric or battery-powered, whereas extrication tools previously used by the fire department were 26 years old and hydraulic tools.

“These life-saving tools are essential to auto extrications when seconds count,” said Lompoc Fire Chief Brian Fallon. “This updated equipment is easier to deploy and use than our previous extrication tools.

“The addition of this equipment helps ensure we can best protect the safety of Lompoc residents and visitors.”