MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - The request to purchase new equipment, jaws of life, from the Meridian Township Fire Department was passed at the June 5 Township Board meeting.

The jaws of life is equipment used to cut people out of car accidents and will be much more efficient than old tools

The system that the meridian fire department is using is not getting the job done, and according EMS/Training Chief, Bill Priese,the 20 year old equipment does not cut at the right pressures that is needed to be cut.

"It is commonly known to people as the jaws of life, it's the equipment we use to cut people out of cars when they've been in car accidents and such. Our system that we have right now, that this is replacing is under performing which means it is not cutting at the pressures that we need it to cut at especially for the newer vehicles that has the high tensile steal that is incorporated in the frames of them now," said Priese.

The old equipment is no longer able to be repaired and the new equipment is estimated to be used about 15 times a year