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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 19th, 2009

Contact: OCWFD, Public Information Officer

Contact Person: Capt. Ryan Christen

OCWFCD Donating Special Rescue Tools to Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Deputies In December of 2014 Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Deputies Joseph Trimboli and Eric Keyes came upon a vehicle which was engulfed in flames. In a dramatic rescue, captured on video, the deputies pulled the man from the vehicle as the flames encroached upon them. Both deputies received medals of recognition for their effort. Without question, the deputy’s saved this individual in an extraordinary effort.

In response to this rescue, the Ocean City-Wright Fire Control District is providing specialized rescue tools to the Sheriff’s Office that will allow them safer and faster access to persons trapped in vehicles. The equipment are small pocket devices that allow for rapid access through windows and feature a built in seatbelt cutter. The Ocean City-Wright is proud to be able to provide one of these devices to every patrol deputy in Okaloosa County.

In addition to providing these rescue tools the Ocean City-Wright has produced a brief training video for the Sheriff’s Office that demonstrates various scenarios and uses for the devices. The video was filmed locally at Wright Auto Salvage using a vehicle they donated. Their help, and the donated vehicle, were vital in producing the training video.

The donated devices were purchased by OCW through a public safety fund made up of donations provided to our department for special projects. Tax payer funds are reserved for department operations and funding. The donation fund however is ideal for public safety programs of this nature. Especially programs that help improve the safety of all citizens in Okaloosa County.

The equipment and training are part of a larger fire and law enforcement joint training initiative which underscores the tremendous teamwork that exists between the public safety agencies in our community.

It is common for our firefighters to respond to emergencies and find deputies on scene already starting CPR or providing basic emergency medical care. In addition, the deputies consistently provide safety for our fighters at dangerous scenes. We greatly appreciate the support provided by the OCSO, and the improved public safety programs which Sheriff Ashley strongly supports.

Fire Department Contact: Capt. Ryan Christen

OCW Public Information Officer

rgchristen@ocwfcd.org

Cell: 850-240-9652

Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Contact Michele Nicholson

OCSO Public Information Officer

mnicholson@sheriff-okaloosa.org

Office: 850 651-7420

Training Video:

Joint Fire and Law Enforcement Training

https://www.youtube.com/user/OCWFCD/videos

Video from 3-19-15 Presentation at OCSO:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qs_NXyylAAQ

 

 

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