Battery Powered Rescue Tools: Changing the Scene of Emergency Response

Firefighters know that when it comes to emergency rescues, saving time means saving lives. In these potentially life-threatening situations, when every second counts, it’s crucial to have powerful, reliable tools that help crews reach patients faster. While hydraulic powered rescue tools have been the industry standard for decades, many fire departments are now counting on battery powered tools to get the job done.

“When you’re at the scene of a car accident, you don’t have time to worry about tangled up lines or hydraulic pumps.”

“I see more fire departments going to battery powered tools. We did it in Wolfforth,” says Mike Henricks, 25-year member of Wolfforth Fire Department in Wolfforth, Texas.

New technology has expanded the capabilities of today’s battery powered rescue tools by delivering maximum power even faster, with more flexibility and control.

“The fire industry is constantly trying to find easier and faster ways to provide care and access to patients,” says firefighter paramedic and full-time Captain, Bobby Epps. “When you’re at the scene of a car accident, you don’t have time to worry about tangled up lines or hydraulic pumps.”

With battery powered rescue tools, critical minutes aren’t spent attaching hoses and generators, and lugging the equipment to the scene. You simply snap the charged battery into the tool, push the button, and it’s ready to go.

By eliminating the constraint of hose length, crews can quickly reach vehicles that are far away from the road. And because battery powered tools operate independently from each other without compromising on power from a generator, crew members can confidently work with multiple tools simultaneously to rescue patients faster.

In addition to saving time at the scene, battery powered tools save time at the station. They’re easy to clean, and with no hoses to replace or generators to service, they require less maintenance and zero fuel costs, unlike hydraulic tools. Plus, without this extra equipment, there’s more space in storage compartments. There’s less mess to clean up, which means less exposure to harmful chemicals that contribute to cancer. Battery powered tools also help crews avoid exposure to toxic exhaust fumes from combustible engines that power hydraulic tools.

If you’re considering making the switch, check out the AMKUS ION 2.0 line of battery powered spreaders, rams, cutters, and combis.

Each tool is powered by a 60-volt DEWALT FLEXVOLT battery that can be shared with other 60-volt and 20-volt DEWALT tools, delivering more flexibility and agility at the scene. It’s the only battery that automatically changes voltages when you change tools. Not only is the ION 2.0 line NFPA 1936 compliant, but 100% of the required NFPA tests were completed using the ION tools.

Both the ION 2.0 iS240 and iS280 SPREADER come fully equipped with gator tips that can easily be removed with the built-in push button release. Extended reach tips can be added to increase the spread by up to 8 inches.

When you need to make more space than a spreader allows, count on the ION iTR230 RAM to deliver the highest pushing force available in a battery powered unit. There are three quick connection ram extension options that reach up to 50 inches.

If you’re looking for a tool powerful enough to cut through the tough tensile strength of today’s modern vehicles, the ION 2.0 iC550 CUTTER is up to the task. The cutter blades and center bolt are designed to make difficult cuts in confined spaces.

For even more flexibility in time-critical situations, the ION iCT516 COMBI TOOL can help get the job done faster. This versatile tool can be used to spread, cut and pop doors, and includes a high intensity integrated LED light to illuminate the work area.

Built with an all-metal body construction, light rotating handles for easy maneuverability and control, and other innovative features, this rugged line of battery powered rescue tools can help your crew perform quickly and safely. The compact design — between 5 and 12 inches shorter than other brand models — make it easier to tackle tight spaces and get patients to safety faster.

To learn more about the benefits of battery operated rescue tools, or to request a demo of AMKUS ION 2.0 tools, contact Daco Fire Equipment today at 800.727.0808.

You can also contact one of our Amkus Specialists.