The 1990s marked a turning point in vehicle extrication, witnessing the emergence of innovative tools designed to stabilize wrecked vehicles more rapidly and effectively. This revolution, driven by volunteer firefighters across the nation, aimed to improve survival rates for victims and enhance safety for rescue personnel. These pioneers independently developed tensioned buttress stabilization systems, a suite of strut-related products that have since become indispensable in modern vehicle rescue. The market for these tools has expanded significantly over the last decade, with prices varying based on complexity, application range, and kit size, reflecting the diverse needs and budgets of fire departments.
Early iterations of these struts utilized wood, while contemporary designs incorporate telescoping mechanisms crafted from aluminum, steel, and advanced composite materials. Leading manufacturers like Res-Q-Jack and Rescue 42 have integrated jacks into their systems, further expanding the capabilities of these tools. These advancements have not only led to faster stabilization but also fostered new rescue techniques, including vehicle lifting without traditional jacks.
Ron Moore, a seasoned battalion chief and vehicle extrication expert, emphasizes the transformative impact of stabilization struts, hailing them as one of the most significant advancements in vehicle rescue in the past decade. He asserts, “It is so radically different in how it improves responder safety and responder capabilities that there is no turning back. If you are doing vehicle rescue in today’s real world, you must have some means of using a tensioned buttress stabilization system, a strut, or you really are not where you should be.” Despite their proven benefits, it’s estimated that less than half of U.S. fire departments are equipped with these essential tools. Moore’s observations from advanced seminars confirm this, noting that for many departments, the adoption of strut capabilities is still in its early stages.
The Genesis of Modern Car Stabilization Tools
One of the earliest innovators in this field is Mike Schmidt, a volunteer firefighter who, in the mid-1990s, introduced the first commercial kit specifically designed for vehicle stabilization. Schmidt’s ZMAG Rescue ground pads are based on a simple yet effective principle: triangulation. Using readily available 4-by-4 wood timbers, the ZMAG system provides a robust and cost-effective stabilization solution. The kit, comprising base plates with ratchet straps and tops, has remained largely unchanged over the years, prioritizing simplicity and ease of use, especially in high-pressure nighttime rescue scenarios. Schmidt emphasizes the minimal “fumble factor” of his design, stating, “You want to throw something on the ground, the big square hole is where the big square piece of wood goes, and you’re done.”
Schmidt’s inspiration stemmed from the Transportation Emergency Rescue Committee (TERC) competitions, where he witnessed firefighters utilizing tensioned buttresses made from modified 4-by-4s and come-alongs. This observation sparked the idea for ZMAG, initially conceived for stabilizing vehicles on their sides. However, through continuous innovation and feedback from rescue teams, ZMAG tools have evolved to handle a wide range of vehicle positions, including vehicles on their roofs or in complex multi-vehicle pile-ups. Schmidt credits the ingenuity of TERC competition teams for pushing the boundaries of his tool’s applications, stating, “The teams perfected the tool, not me.” Improvements like steel couplings to extend strut lengths further enhanced the system’s versatility. While ZMAG enjoyed early success, the market has become more competitive, yet its foundational design remains a testament to simple, effective engineering in rescue operations.
Res-Q-Jack: Engineering Expertise Applied to Rescue
In parallel with Schmidt’s work, Cris Pasto, a volunteer firefighter with a mechanical engineering background, was also driven by the challenges of vehicle extrication. Pasto’s frustration with traditional stabilization methods using 4-by-4s and ropes motivated him to seek a better solution. Recalling a particularly challenging incident involving a vehicle over an embankment, Pasto realized the need for quicker and more efficient tools. His familiarity with hardwood flooring jacks, manufactured by his company Cepco Tool Company, sparked an idea: adapting these jacks for vehicle stabilization. This led to the development of the Res-Q-Jack, introduced in 1999.
The initial Res-Q-Jack RJ-1 model featured lightweight steel stands with a simple base and pointed head. Subsequent iterations focused on enhancing versatility, ease of setup, and load capacity. Pasto initially marketed Res-Q-Jack for stabilization only, cautious about the idea of lifting with stabilization equipment. However, real-world feedback from firefighters who used Res-Q-Jack to lift vehicles in life-saving situations prompted a shift in perspective. Pasto recognized the potential for controlled lifting with these tools, driven by the practical needs of rescue teams. Res-Q-Jack further innovated with patented techniques for roof-resting vehicle stabilization, emphasizing repeatable and efficient procedures for firefighters in critical situations. Pasto emphasizes that Res-Q-Jack is not intended to replace airbags or hydraulic tools but rather to offer a complementary solution that excels in speed, efficiency, and suitability for specific rescue scenarios.
Rescue 42: Innovation Driven by Technology and Safety
On the West Coast, Tim O’Connell, a technology enthusiast and former Navy nuclear submarine service member turned volunteer firefighter, was independently developing his own stabilization solutions. O’Connell’s background in technology and his experience with dash roll incidents led to his first invention: the ram plate, designed to provide a solid support base for hydraulic rams on vehicle rocker panels. This innovation, initially known locally as “O’Connell plates,” became the foundation for Rescue 42, founded in 1995. O’Connell expanded the functionality of the O-Plate, incorporating a hook for pulling applications, and experimented with using 4-by-4s for tensioned buttress stabilization. However, the cumbersome nature of wood struts led him to explore alternative materials, eventually settling on extendable steel signposts.
Rescue 42 launched its TeleCribbing Stabilization System in 2000, followed by a detachable strut jack in 2001, mirroring Res-Q-Jack’s product evolution. O’Connell’s detachable jack design prioritized weight reduction and cost-effectiveness, arguing that jacks are not always necessary for vehicle stabilization and that carrying multiple integrated jacks adds unnecessary weight and expense. Driven by a commitment to firefighter safety, O’Connell pioneered the use of advanced composite materials in struts. Composite struts offered significant advantages, including lighter weight, increased strength, corrosion resistance, and, crucially, electrical non-conductivity – a vital safety feature in scenarios involving downed power lines. Rescue 42 introduced its first composite system in 2004 and has continued to refine its composite technology, incorporating Kevlar for enhanced performance and safety. O’Connell emphasizes a core design philosophy of minimizing the potential for firefighter error, particularly in hazardous environments.
The Growing Adoption and Impact of Stabilization Struts
Today, the market for vehicle stabilization struts features several manufacturers, with Rescue 42 and Res-Q-Jack emerging as industry leaders. These companies offer a range of kits and systems to meet diverse needs and budgets. While adoption has grown, convincing fire departments of the value of these tools has been an ongoing effort. Education has been a key strategy, with manufacturers like Rescue 42 producing extensive video and DVD resources to demonstrate the benefits and proper techniques for using stabilization struts.
Ron Moore recommends that fire departments considering adopting stabilization struts first assess their specific needs and budget. He suggests starting with a core system of two to four high-quality struts with essential accessories. The true impact of these tools becomes evident through hands-on demonstrations and training scenarios. Moore concludes, “Once a fire department sees and feels and goes through an actual deployment in a training scenario, the wow factor alone will let them know, we’ve got to have this, this is the real deal, we’ve got to have this.” The demonstrable improvements in safety, speed, and efficiency offered by modern car stabilization tools are increasingly making them an essential component of every fire department’s rescue arsenal.
