EL DORADO COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT 
 
PRESS  RELEASE 
 

For Immediate Release: December 2, 2025 
 
Date/Time of Occurrence: December 2, 2025, 8 am 
Nature of Occurrence: Office of Traffic Safety Awards $95,000 Grant to the El Dorado County 
Fire Protection District for New Emergency Response Equipment 
Location: 4040 Carson Rd., Camino, CA 9509 
Contact: Jacob Poganski, Division Chief 
Phone: (530) 644-9630 
Email: pio@eldofire.com 
 
Camino, Calif. (December 2, 2025) – The El Dorado County Fire Protection District announced 
today that it has received a $95,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to 
purchase new extrication equipment. Known as the “Jaws of Life,” these tools give firefighters 
the ability to cut, spread, and push apart twisted metal, freeing victims who are trapped inside 
vehicles. This allows responders to quickly disentangle patients and remove them from harm, 
dramatically improving their chances of survival. 
 
"We are incredibly grateful for this grant, which will allow us to purchase state-of-the-art 
rescue tools that are critical for the care of people injured in crashes,” said Fire Chief Tim 
Cordero. “These tools will significantly impact our ability to protect and serve our community, 
allowing us to respond even more effectively in times of crisis.” 
 
Post-crash care is vital in preventing serious injuries from turning deadly. Delays in providing 
expedient care impacts survival chances. Reducing the time it takes to get to the patient, 
treating what can be treated, and transporting the patient to the hospital can be the difference 
between life and death. According to federal data, 42% of people who were killed in car crashes 
were alive when first responders arrived. 
 
In 2024, El Dorado County Fire Protection District responded to 529 traffic collisions, many 
occurring along major travel routes including Highway 50, Highway 49, and Highway 193. The 
grant will fund the purchase of two complete sets of Hurst “Jaws of Life” battery-powered 
extrication tools, which will be placed at Station 17 in Pollock Pines and Station 28 in Shingle 
Springs. 
 
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, 
through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

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View the Press Release here:

Press Release - OTS Grant.pdf