Texas volunteer fire crew can buy cutting tool with grant

By Greg Kendall-Ball
The Abilene Reporter-News

BUFFALO GAP, Texas — The Buffalo Gap Volunteer Fire Department was able to purchase a new hydraulic cutting tool last week — with the help of a $10,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Abilene.

The CFA has handed out more than $130,000 to 17 fire departments in 10 Big Country counties through its Volunteer Fire Department Fund. The tool, a hydraulic cutting and spreading tool from TNT Rescue, costs more than $19,000. The department raised money through a chili cook-off and accepted private donations to cover the portion not covered by the grant.

"This thing is the Cadillac of rescue tools," said Dana Sowell, fire chief. "Cars are being made stronger and stronger, and the old tools couldn't cut through them. This new one can - and do it quicker."

With the old tools, Sowell said, firefighters would have to cut through individual sections of a steering wheel in a crashed vehicle. The new tool allows them to cut straight through the steering column, saving time.

"In a crash, there's a 'Golden Hour' between the wreck, and when an injured person needs to be on an operating table," Sowell said. "With this new device, we can get people out of cars and on their way to the hospital sooner."

Katie Alford, CFA president, said she hoped to continue the grant program in the future.

"This year, all the money was raised through individual donations," Alford said. "Next year, we hope to raise a $2.5 million endowment, so we can fund the grants in perpetuity."

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