![]() ![]() Hurst Performance began to export parts to a European company, Zumro ResQtec, to avoid import duty. In comparison, hydraulic spreader-cutters are quieter, faster, stronger, and more versatile: they can cut, open, and even lift a vehicle. Alternatively, rescuers could try to pry open the vehicle doors with a crowbar or Halligan bar, but this could compromise the stability of the vehicle, or injure the victims further. Saws can create sparks, which could start a fire, create loud sounds, stress the victim(s), and often cut slowly. Previously rescuers often used circular saws for vehicle extrication, but these suffered from several drawbacks. The Hurst Rescue Tool was invented by George Hurst, circa 1961, after he viewed a stock car race accident in which it took workers over an hour to remove an injured driver from his car. "After all of these years we are proud to still be an American-made product, built right here in Shelby," said Canon.A hydraulic spreader in use, seen here widening a window on the door of a Volkswagen Golf Mk2 to allow fire crews access into the vehicle In January alone, they built 450 devices. The location employs 58 people, who are responsible for making hundreds of tools each month. Those batteries, Canon added, are made by another manufacturer specifically for use with HURST Jaws of Life equipment.Īll of the tools made at the Shelby plant are made-to-order, and are built from raw materials into functioning devices. The only other systems which could go underwater were hose systems, which were very cumbersome." "It is a battery purpose built for rescue. No rescue tool anywhere in the world can take its system underwater if it's a battery system. We have the only waterproof IP68 rated batter in the world," said Canon. Over the last two years, HURST has begun making tools able to go where rescue devices have previously never been able to reliably go before. Some of its biggest innovations involved moving tools from hose-powered systems, which require a generator to operate, to battery powered devices. ![]() Over the years the company has found ways to make its tools lighter and smaller, but still capable of tearing apart a wrecked vehicle in a matter of minutes. It is in that engineering and design that has kept the Jaws of Life so popular among fire and rescue departments nationwide. The first official Jaws device, Model JL-32A, began production in 1972. It was introduced to the public at a trade show that December. In 1971 an early prototype of what would be the Jaws of Life was created in Pennsylvania. The corporate birth of the HURST Jaws of Life company would come a few years later. Prior to their implementation, drivers stuck in their cars had to be cut out using circular saws. The tool used hydraulics to spread and cut pieces of crashed vehicles away from drivers. In the 1960s, George Hurst, an avid fan of race cars, created the Jaws of Life as a way to extricate drivers from wrecked cars. More: Homeless men flock to newly opened shelters in Shelby More: Shelby library adds 3D printing, sewing and more with makerspace "Our products are in some of the biggest departments in the country. We have Boston, New York, Detroit, Charlotte, Chicago, Jacksonville, Tampa - the list goes on and on because these big cities can't afford to go low-bid and have things fail." "When we take our products to do evaluations, (departments) literally try to break them," said Canon. Michael Canon, sales director at Hurst Jaws of Life, said the milestone is a testament to the durability and reliability of the products made out of its Shelby plant. The Jaws of Life, used in life saving rescue operations across the globe, is manufactured in Shelby, and this year marks a big one in that company's history - its 50th anniversary. ![]()
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