HOULTON, Maine — A local donation and a loan will make it possible for the Houlton Fire Department to replace an aging and unserviceable extrication tool that saves lives in vehicle crashes.
After two decades of use, the fire department’s Jaws of Life failed during a Mothers Against Drunk Driving presentation at Houlton High School. And according to Fire Chief Milton Cone, the equipment vendor said replacement parts are no longer available.
Town Manager Cameron Clark contacted the Houlton Regional Hospital Health Services Foundation for assistance with funding options for the nearly $100,000 purchase.
“The Health Services Foundation has supported equipment purchases in the past for the town, so when this need came up we thought of them,” Clark said.
In June, the foundation’s board approved a 75 percent grant of $75,000 with a 25 percent match by the town to purchase the equipment. On Monday night, the Houlton Town Council authorized the match repayment terms of three payments over three years to the Health Services Foundation, starting in 2027.
When seconds count, the Jaws of Life — a powerful hydraulic tool — helps first responders quickly remove people trapped in vehicles following crashes. It was first created to help get auto racers out of crashed cars.
“This funding source is just about the best outcome we could have. This wasn’t an item that we had budgeted and so getting $75,000 from the Health Services Foundation and having them agree to the financing terms is outstanding for our financial position,” Clark said. “Kudos and thanks to the Health Services Foundation.”
The Health Services Foundation is a nonprofit public charity that raises funds for education, equipment programs and services for the local hospital and non-profit health care providers throughout the region, said Lori Weston, executive director of the foundation.
Funding is provided through specific campaigns or fund raising events such as the County Open Golf Tournament and the Annual Festival of Trees, she said.
“To be able to help the town of Houlton with such a critical piece of equipment like the Jaws of Life benefits our entire region,” Weston said.
Houlton Fire Chief Milton Cone contacted five Maine vendors of support rescue equipment and each vendor’s tool system was tested in live scenarios at Benn’s Junk Yard. The department was looking for power and cutting ability, speed, versatility, ergonomics, ease of use in emergency conditions and durability.
“When we spend this amount of money, whether it’s grant money, borrowed money or our own cash, this is a great example of the department going through a full process to make sure we are getting exactly what we want and what the department needs,” Clark said.
The five businesses submitted bids ranging from $67,362 with add-ons to $99,917.
The town selected Bergeron Equipment and the Hurst Rescue Tool System at $99,536, which was not the lowest bid, but the one that will best serve the department, Clark said.
The system scored the highest in key performance categories and meets the operational needs of the department, according to Cone.
