Laurel fire department purchases life-saving equipment

LAUREL, Miss. - The Laurel Fire Department recently installed new hydraulic rescue equipment, commonly referred by the registered name “Jaws of Life,” on its pumper at Station #5 on Parker Drive.

The equipment purchase was part of a grant awarded to the City of Laurel in June 2015 in the amount of $85,932 for equipment and training through the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG).

Built in 2009, Laurel Fire Station 5 sits at the northwest-end of the city to meet the demands of U.S. Hwy 15, a main artery from Jasper and Jones Counties into Laurel and I-59 with a daily traffic count nearing 35,000. The station previously did not have its own set of vehicle extraction rescue equipment.

Fire Chief James Brown said, "It is very important for us to have it on this end, it cuts time down from a truck coming from the other side of town."

The station said they see more than five car accidents every day on Hwy 15.

Firefighter Antonio Mosley said, "In the event where we did have to wait, it will make you feel very helpless and having it on hand, it just empowers you, you feel like you can do your job that much more efficiently."

"You feel like you have the capabilities to actually help a lot more" added Mosley.

Station 5 also received upgraded hazmat suites and water equipment.