A Lowcountry firefighter’s initiative and construction skills have led her to create a new tool that could save lives.
In 2021, the Burton Fire District responded to a 35% increase in motor vehicle collisions causing injury, and a 175% increase (4 to 11) in the number of trapped occupants that required rescue. So Brittany came up with her own. She had some help from her husband, a welding instructor at Battery Creek High School to create the metal brace. But she welded the entire apparatus herself.
The tool she made helps to lock the hydraulic in place and allow quicker access to patients. “It allows us to gain access to the patient because when you are pinned with the dash rolled down on your legs there is no way to pull you out,” said Brittany. “We have to get the dash off of you to pull you out and start medical procedures on you.”