Chad Boardman presenting Pattie Marchand of the Fire/EMS Association with $3,500 donation towards Jaws of Life Fundraiser. L-R: Seth Grill – Upton FF/EMT, Brian Kemp – Upton EMS Captain, Chad Boardman – Eastman, Pattie Marchand – Upton FF/EMT Association, Bob Fleming – Upton Selectman, Ron Goodale – Upton Fire/EMS Chief
Upton Fire/EMS Chief Ron Goodale was pleased to announce last week the Upton Fire – EMS Association raised more than $40,000 in private donations to purchase new hydraulic rescue tools commonly known as “Jaws of Life.”
Chad Boardman of Eastland (a building company responsible for the new subdivision in Upton called Crosswinds) donated the final $3,500 needed. On October 1, Boardman presented the check to Pattie Marchand of the Fire Association.
“This really has been a community effort. We really appreciate what Chad is doing,” said Chief Goodale.
“The community really embraced this fundraiser,” said Goodale. The community has been donating cans/bottles for a year and a half and making cash donations towards the effort.
Andrea Matellian, a Senior at Blackstone Valley Technical High School, brought in over $12,000 in donations through a fundraising drive she held last year and the Upton 4H Club Hoof Beats raised $450 this summer. The Upton Men’s Club also donated $2,500 towards the drive last summer.
New “Jaws of Life” were needed because the original set was over 25 years old and technology has changed. Automobile manufacturers have redesigned cars which are now much tougher. The original tools were no longer effectively doing the job they were designed to do. “The new tools are better suited to the stronger vehicles,” said Goodale. For example, one of the older tools cut at 6,000 PSI and the new tool will cut at 200,000 PSI, which means fewer attempts to extricate someone.
The final donation of $3,500 allows the department to purchase the last tool needed for the “Jaws of Life”.
UPTON DAILY 