CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Fire Department's International Association of Firefighters Local 2680 presented Mayor David Cadle with a check for almost $12,000 toward the purchase of emergency extrication equipment.
The presentation almost came too late for victims of a recent traffic accident who needed to be rescued from their vehicle which had overturned.
The department's aging equipment failed during the rescue effort, Fire Chief Joe Traylor reported.
"It was very slow to respond to build up the pressure," Traylor told the City Council Monday night. "It was not able to get up enough pressure to work."
Backup equipment arrived shortly afterward and the people entrapped in their van were rescued. They had minimal injuries, Traylor reported.
Traylor said the fundraising effort began in May at the suggestion of Crestview's firefighters. Residents responded generously to efforts including tip-a-firefighter and a pet wash at Pawsitively Scrumptious that raised almost $600 in three hours.
Traylor said the $11,992 check presented to Cadle is about $1,700 less than the amount needed to purchase new, state-of-the-art extrication equipment.
Because of the situation with the failing old equipment, the department would like to begin steps to purchase replacement tools as soon as possible, Traylor said.
"Our citizens step up," Council President Shannon Hayes said. " I really love that our citizens say, 'There's a need in Crestview and we're going to contribute.'"
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview firefighters raise $12K toward Jaws of Life