New rescue equipment on Fraser to free trapped motorists

YEARS of wrangling have come to an end and motorists on Fraser Island now have the jaws of life equipment in the event of an accident.

Spreaders, better know as the jaws of life, in action on a late model car.

YEARS of wrangling have come to an end and motorists on Fraser Island now have the jaws of life equipment nearby in the event of an accident.

Fraser Island Association president David Anderson said the rescue equipment had been transferred to Eurong Fire Brigade after languishing in Maryborough for two years.

In urban areas, the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service operates the jaws of life, or spreaders, which are used to free trapped motorists.

In rural areas the equipment is operated by the SES.

"On Fraser Island we don't have either of these emergency services," Mr Anderson said.

"So the equipment sat in Maryborough for two years, earmarked for Fraser Island, while the issue of who would use it and who would operate it was worked out."

Five Fraser Island residents have been trained in the use of the jaws of life.

"We have been very lucky in the past that the equipment has not been needed," Mr Anderson said.

The rural fire brigade on Fraser had the lighter of its two trucks modified to carry the new safety equipment.