NICEVILLE – The East Niceville Fire District will now have a new hydraulic rescue tool — commonly known as the Jaws of Life.

Thanks to a grant from Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, the Hurst eDRAULIC spreader and cutter tool is designed to work fast to help rescue people trapped after vehicle accidents.

“It weighs about 49 pounds and only needs a minimum of two firefighters to set it up,” Assistant Fire Chief David Birch said. “(Hurst eDRAULIC) is smaller, fast and powerful.”

The old spreader and cutter tools were operated with a gas-driven hydraulic pump and took up to 20 minutes to get to an entrapped person. The new rescue tool is battery-operated and will reduce the time by more than half, fire officials said.

“This tool will really help cut through newer model vehicles that are made with tougher material,” Capt. Jon Kramer said. “Paramedics will be able to gain fast access to the patient.”

Kramer said firefighters will no longer have to carry rescue equipment weighing about 70 pounds over their heads while in full gear.

A formal ceremony celebrating the new life-saving device is planned for Wednesday, Jan. 25, when representatives of Firehouse Subs restaurant (which helped with the purchase), fire district commissioners and firefighters will be on hand. The firefighters will get a special training on how use and maintain their new tool, which costs about $18,700.

“Our goal is to get to that person and give them a better chance of living,” Birch said.