Scotts Valley Firefighters to Buy New Equipment With Seagate Grant

The Scotts Valley Fire Protection District will soon buy new rescue equipment with a $10,000 grant from Seagate Technologies. Though the Scotts Valley-based company will soon relocate to Cupertino, it is committed to supporting the community that has supported it for so long.

With the grant, Scotts Valley firefighters will be able to purchase a new Hurst hydraulic spreader, or “Jaws of Life,” and Paratech heavy lift Kevlar airbags, which will play a vital role in assisting them in a variety or rescue situations.

“These tools will give fire crews the edge they need to safely and effectively deal with complex and difficult rescue situations,” said Chris Stubendorff, a Scotts Valley engineer and paramedic. “Cars have become tougher as manufacturers use stronger alloys in their construction.”

According to the fire district, “developments of vehicle technology have rendered current tools for vehicle extrication ineffective, forcing crews to use less effective techniques and alternatives. While the technology has improved vehicle safety, it has made extrication and rescue after a severe collision more difficult in many cases.”

The new equipment will help to reduce the time it takes for firefighters to pull crash victims to safety. The Hurst hydraulic spreaders have nearly triple the amount of power used by fire crews, and the Paratech airbags are capable of lifting weights up to 20 tons.

“Even during difficult fiscal times, Seagate Technologies has made it a priority to support the local community and give the firefighters the tools needed to handle the toughest of rescues,” the district said in a press release.