MOORE HAVEN — Glades County Fire Rescue will soon have a valuable rescue tool at its disposal, thanks to the persistence of the Glades County Board of County Commissioners.

Commissioners announced the approval of a $33,180 grant from Firehouse Subs during its July 13 regular meeting to purchase a Hurst Cutter, Spreader, Ram and accessories, which may become available to the Public Safety Department as early as the end of August.

The equipment, commonly referred to as “the jaws of life” quickly pry open crashed vehicles to rescue trapped motorists with battery-powered hydraulic piston rods. They are also utilized to free victims from collapsed buildings.

The grant is provided by the Firehouse Subs Public Foundation, which will purchase the equipment.

“We’ve been applying for this grant for the past four or five years and this is the first time we’ve been awarded,” Emergency Manager Angie Colegrove told commissioners.

The equipment will be used for the main engine – Engine No. 11, she said.

While it is unknown which models Firehouse Subs will select, Hurst products are well-known for their compact yet powerful size, making them easier for rescue teams to operate.

The Hurst website boasts the small, lightweight products are “quicker than ever.”

The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation was founded in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, according to its website, creating five categories of funding, including Lifesaving Equipment, for which the Glades County’s application was awarded.

To date, the foundation has awarded over $60 million in grants in the United States, many in Florida.