SPRINGFIELD — The fastest Springfield firefighters could set up their gas-powered spreaders and cutters — after hooking up the 25-foot line and letting the engine warm up — was 3 minutes.
That doesn’t sound like a long time, but it can make a difference in a life-or-death situation.
“Time is life,” Fire Chief Michael Larimore said.
Their response time should improve; Springfield received a donation Friday of $24,000 worth of tools — the crown jewels being a battery-powered spreader and cutter — from Firehouse Subs. The donation also included a windshield cutter, crowbars, batteries and stability jacks.
Laramore said the fire department did have a situation, a wreck on Tyndall Parkway, where they would have wanted these lighter, more accessible tools. The gas-powered tool jammed, but the person’s injuries were severe enough that removing the victim fast enough probably would not have helped. The battery-powered tools have the advantage of being quiet.
The fire department demonstrated the tools Friday, removing both passenger doors of an old sedan with the cutter and spreader and quickly slicing through the windshield.
Firehouse Subs made the contribution from its $2 empty pickle bucket sales and donations it asks for as customers order. The restaurant has donated $65,000 to Bay County departments — to Panama City Beach and Lynn Haven — and $12 million nationwide.
“All the big departments have these,” Laramore said. “If it’s good enough for the big cities, it’s good enough for Springfield.”