Germansville, Lynn-port and New Tripoli fire companies share a completely outfitted rescue unit.

New Tripoli firefighters bring the truck to the scene of a motor vehicle accident, while manpower also comes from the other local companies.

That is how the scenario unfolded during a demonstration June 28 at the Lynnport Fire Company Jamboree.

A recent addition to the truck's equipment is an electronic cutter for easier removal of windows, New Tripoli First Assistant Chief Gary Kuntz said.

New Tripoli Fire Company Engineer Sid Madtes told the audience being a volunteer firefighter is not easy.

"It's not as simple as people think," Madtes said. "You go out in the middle of the winter; it's dark and that makes the whole thing more difficult."

At the Jamboree, Madtes served as fire control officer but as no problems were expected, his equipment was a fire extinguisher.

The side windows of the demonstration van were smashed with a hammer-like object and glass flew around the work area.

Kuntz said the New Tripoli truck is capable of running four pieces of equipment at one time during a real rescue.

"Part of the assessment is seeing if the vehicle is on its side, upside down or what," Madtes said. "We just take off what we have to.

"We were at a rescue 2-1/2 months ago where it took 2-1/2 hours to get the person out. He survived after a hospital stay."

Andrew Sawyer, a youth who was watching the process, cheered when the firefighters finally got the back off.

The battery is disconnected and firefighters make sure no gas is leaking.

If there is a gas leak from a vehicle the extrication of the passengers is halted and, in rare instances, fuel has to be removed from the vehicle.

Kuntz used a Hurst O cutter to cut the hatch frame so it could be removed.

"This is our newest tool," Kuntz told the audience. "It has 500,000 pounds of cutting force and can cut the toughest metals. It is very big money."

The doors and windows of the van were piled to the side and the firefighters thankfully removed their heavy turn-out clothing and Lynnport Fire Chief Troy Christman pushed a broom to help clean-up around the vehicle.