In 1971, George Hurst stood at the edge of a racetrack, watching another driver struggle to escape a mangled roll cage after a high-speed crash. As the founder of Hurst Performance, Inc., he knew speed and innovation were the keys to success. This was true for the team on the track, but also in the rescue that followed. Hurst saw a need—a chance to save lives. He partnered with his engineer, Jim Dobbins, and together they developed a tool that would revolutionize emergency response forever.
What they built was more than a hydraulic spreader. It was more than hoses, engineered metal, and hardware fastened together to form a new tool. It was a machine capable of reaching into crushed steel and saving victims from what rescuers grimly called "the jaws of death."
Naturally, it earned the name: The Jaws of Life®.
More than five decades later, HURST Jaws of Life remains the most trusted name in vehicle extrication. HURST was the first, and its name is etched into the lives of survivors and worn with pride by those who serve. The journey from those first hydraulic tools to today’s connected, intelligent rescue systems is one of relentless innovation, honoring those who save and protect, and an unwavering commitment to saving lives.
Jump Ahead To:
- From Heavy Metal to Rugged Engineering: 1970s – 1990s
- The Combination Tool: Everything in One Compact Package
- Engineered to Endure: Tools That Last Generations
- Lighter, Faster, Stronger: The 1990s - 2000s
- A New Era of Portability and Power: The 2010s
- Smarter Designs and Connected Platforms: The 2020s - Today
- Still Saving Lives. Still Leading.
From Heavy Metal to Rugged Engineering: 1970s – 1990s
An early prototype of the HURST Power Tool (aaka Jaws of Life) is demonstrated at HURST Headquarters in Warrington, Pensylvania. George Hurst is pictured on the left.
The public unveiling of the Jaws of Life, then known as the HURST Power Tool, was held at the 1971 SEMA trade show in California. The first production of the Jaws of Life system, introduced shortly after its 1971 prototype, was a 32-inch hydraulic spreader driven by a two-cycle gasoline engine. The system, the Model JL-32, was large and powerful, weighing over 200 pounds and originally mounted on tow trucks for hydraulic support. It was effective but unwieldy—a two-person job at minimum.
However, its impact was immediate. The tool debuted in real-world rescues in 1972, quickly spreading to thousands of departments worldwide. In 1974, the “Green Cross” program was launched to recognize firefighters and first responders who used HURST tools to save lives. That same year, HURST filed the first patent for the rescue tool system.
Early adopters recognized its value instantly. One department reported that their Jaws of Life paid for itself in the first week, saving a man’s life by reducing extrication time from an hour and a half to just seven minutes.
The First Twenty Years of HURST: 1970s to 1990s
- 1972 – The first Jaws of Life system, the Model JL-32, is introduced, featuring a 32-inch hydraulic spreader powered by a 2-cycle engine
- 1976 – Model 32A spreader provides improved speed and efficiency as an upgrade to the Model 32
- 1977 – First HURST cutting tool, the Model JL 150, capable of slicing through rebar and car frames, debuts
- 1978 – JL-60 Ram released for pushing, pulling, and stabilizing
- 1979 – The Omni Product Line and the Omni II, 3-way all-purpose extrication tools, are released.
- 1984 – HURST acquired by Hale Fire Pump Company, and the extrication tool product line expands.
- 1987 – JL-20A mini-ram released for confined spaces
- 1989 – The Paladin is introduced, a combination tool with the ability to spread, cut, and pull
- 1989 – HURST debuts the Rabbit Tool, a portable device for forcible entry
- 1991 – The Model 32B is introduced and maintains the power HURST is famous for among rescue scenes
- 1992 – Mighty-Lite series: compact, powerful tools revolutionize portability and specialization
These innovations introduced rams, cutters, mini-tools, and power units that were lighter, stronger, and more versatile. For the first time, single-operator extrication tools were becoming viable.
The Combination Tool: Everything in One Compact Package
Firefighter during extrication.
Among the most critical innovations in the history of extrication is the introduction of the combination tool—a single device designed to cut, spread, and save without the need to switch between multiple tools on scene.
These “combi tools” give rescuers what they have always needed: speed, simplicity, and strength in one compact package.
Traditionally, tactical rescue or rapid intervention teams have had a variety of tools to shuffle through on the scene. But with a tool like a StrongArm, it does it all, saving time and energy in the process. With a built-in Picatinny accessory rail and a four-position handle, StrongArm cuts, lifts, and spreads. It replaces crowbars, Halligan bars, wire cutters, axes, and more. More specifically, it can cut through 3/8" rebar, grade 43 chain, or two-by-four wood. This saves critical minutes—and when you’re working against the clock in rollover crashes, underrides, or collapsed structures, minutes save lives.
As with all HURST innovations, combi tools were not developed in a vacuum. They were shaped by conversations with firefighters, forged by field feedback, and battle-tested in rescues around the world.
Because many of HURST’s employees also had experience serving in the field, the company quickly developed a culture of understanding and listening to its audience. This commitment helped HURST answer the call on the needs of modern fire departments as they too evolved over the years, including:
- Compact Response Vehicles: Many departments now rely on quick-response vehicles, where space and weight are premium. Combi tools are essential for these platforms.
- Rural and Volunteer Departments: For teams with limited budgets or staffing, a single combo tool delivers professional-grade performance with greater simplicity.
- Training and Onboarding: Recruits can learn extrication principles more effectively when using a versatile, all-in-one tool, building confidence and competency earlier in their careers.
- First-In Advantage: Often, the first team on the scene must act quickly with limited gear. The combi tool ensures they’re never under-equipped, even before full resources arrive.
Combination tools represent a clear milestone in the evolution of extrication tools. They reflect the brand’s deep understanding of real-world rescue, where gear must be easy to use, fast to deploy, and reliable under pressure.
Engineered to Endure: Tools That Last Generations
One of the defining features of HURST tools is their legendary durability. In the early 2000s, many departments still operated hydraulic systems and power units from the 1980s and 1990s. HURST was the first, and after years of use in the marketplace, they became known for “lasting forever.” Having earned it from our users, that phrase isn’t a marketing tagline—it’s field-tested truth.
Longevity is built into every system, and the team behind the tool’s improvements work relentlessly to make it happen. As one twenty-year veteran of the company put it, “HURST is constantly working in the background for the next best thing… to innovate and make the best tool for the users and the victims.”
The early years of improvements made by HURST were driven by operations, reliability, and safety. Safety for both rescuers and victims has always dominated HURST’s research and development teams.
Departments choose HURST because of this commitment to long-term value and reliability. From the beginning, HURST has relied on feedback from the field to drive its innovations. The company’s vast distribution and service network ensures that departments receive what they need quickly, whether it's training, maintenance, or custom configurations. This network and commitment to customer service were key to the innovations and evolution of the extrication tool during the first twenty years of HURST.
Lighter, Faster, Stronger: The 1990s - 2000s
Lukas and Hurst revolutionize rescue tools.
As the world entered a new era of automotive design, building materials, and emergency response needs, HURST Jaws of Life evolved right alongside it. The decades between the 1990s and 2010s marked a significant turning point in the history of extrication—a shift from sheer force to refined power. At the center of it all was HURST.
This was the era of lighter, faster, and stronger—the new non-negotiables in the industry.
During this period, first responders were increasingly operating in tight spaces, with more complex vehicle structures and limited manpower. Britt Hawkins, current Marketing Manager for HURST and former Director of Resource Sales in North America, noted, “We were constantly staying on top of auto trends. New materials and design in vehicles meant we needed to understand the best and fastest way to save people when they’re trapped inside.”
Gone were the days of using large, bulky spreaders that required multiple people to use. The tools needed to become easier to handle, more ergonomic, and more powerful.
In response, HURST released advancements with newer tools that operated at 10,000 PSI levels. Additionally, the 1990s were dedicated to innovative research and tool design. By 2002, several advancements with 5,000 PSI tools were introduced, such as the MOC Series, Defender Spreader, and the “hot swappable” streamline coupling.
The Innovative Years of HURST: 1990s – 2000s
- 1994 – IDEX Corporation acquires Hale Products Inc.
- 1995 – IDEX acquires LUKAS, and the #1 rescue tool manufacturer in Europe joins forces with the #1 rescue tool in North America
- 2002 – HURST introduces 10,000 PSI tools and advanced 5,000 PSI tools, such as the MOC Series, Defender, Spreader, and the “hot swappable” streamline coupling
- 2004 – Hale purchased Manfred Vetter GmbH, the inventor of the lifting bag, Vetter®, expanding the product offering
- 2006 – Airshore International joins the HURST team, adding shoring and stabilization to the rescue tool portfolio
A New Era of Portability and Power: The 2010s
eDraulic tool being used by a firefighter to spread the front of a car.
In 2010, HURST revolutionized the market again with the eDRAULIC® series. These tools eliminated the need for external power units and hoses, replacing them with battery-powered units. The eDRAULIC series was the world’s first battery-powered tool with the power of a hose-line tool. This evolution of the extrication tool came with freedom from hoses. First responders can initiate the rescue much faster, saving crucial minutes when it matters most shortly after a crash.
The key benefits experienced with the new eDRAULIC series included:
- One-person operation
- Greater mobility
- Lighter overall weight
- Reduced setup time
- Faster deployment
- Elimination of trip hazards
- Less physical burden
Models like the S700E2 Cutter and SP555E2 Spreader quickly became favorites for departments needing mobility without sacrificing strength. These tools still delivered 5,000 PSI performance but in a much more agile package. The impact was worldwide. Emergency teams used these tools in disasters such as earthquakes, bombings, and hurricanes. Even the U.S. military adopted them for operations across the globe.
This shift to battery-powered tools wasn’t just about convenience. It meant rescuers could deploy faster, maneuver in tighter spaces, and reach victims in places where larger units couldn’t go. eDRAULIC tools feature the same impressive forces of standard hydraulics in a single, self-contained power source, providing operators with the freedom to operate in battery mode or plug into a power source for continuous operation.
The Battery-Powered Years of HURST: 2010s
- 2010 – The eDRAULIC series was the world’s first battery-powered tool with the power of a hose-line tool
- 2011 – Innovation continues with the creation of the KL-32, JL-500, P650, and P630 Series Power Units with turbo function.
- 2012 – A Model 32A, used from 1977 to 2012, is donated by the Carlsbad Fire Department to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.
- 2014 – HURST released eDRAULIC 2.0, featuring increased power, speed, and reduced weight.
- 2015 – HURST launches the industry’s first battery-powered telescopic rescue ram as part of its eDRAULIC 2.0 line.
- 2015 – The StrongArm® is introduced, meeting a critical need with cutting, lifting, and spreading capabilities that increase speed and power.
- 2016 – HURST Jaws of Life launches the single most powerful battery combination tool in the industry as part of its eDRAULIC 2.0 line.
- 2018 – HURST Launches S 799E2 / S 799 Cutter, Earns Best-in-Class NFPA Cutter Rating
- 2019 – HURST introduces the industry’s first watertight battery-powered extrication tool line
The evolution of the extrication tool saw historic movement during this decade, all powered by the eDRAULIC platform. This innovative line was designed from the ground up:
- Optimized weight distribution for balance and control
- High-capacity battery packs that could operate in extreme conditions
- One-button activation, visual indicators, and integrated lighting for usability in smoke, debris, and low visibility
As the HURST brand team put it, “Innovation is not about the next feature. It’s about the next rescue. Every improvement we make is in service to those who step into danger to save others.”
Smarter Designs and Connected Platforms: The 2020s - Today
Jason Patton of Fire Department Coffee holding the Limited Edition E3 Hero Spreader.
The first innovation in the 2020s came in 2021 when HURST introduced eDRAULIC 3.0. This evolution took its fastest and most powerful battery-powered extrication tools and made them even faster. The 3.0 line was operational in both fresh and salt water, and debuted a smart dashboard display that provided operators with real-time feedback on tool status.
“We’re continually evolving HURST Jaws of Life extrication tools to make first responders’ jobs safer, easier, and more efficient, and eDRAULIC 3.0 takes tool innovation to a whole new level,” said Hawkins.
The 2021 release of the eDRAULIC 3.0 line unveiled 11 new tools, including spreaders, cutters, combi tools, and rams. This new generation of HURST Jaws of Life tools raised the bar for smart, connected tools, and they wouldn’t stop there.
The Smart Years: The 2020s – Today
- 2021 – HURST launches eDRAULIC 3.0 with more speed, fresh/saltwater compatibility, and a smart dashboard for real-time tool status feedback
- 2021 – 11 new tools introduced, including the SP 555 E3 Spreader, SP 777 E3 Spreader, SC 358 E3 Combi, SC 758 E3 Combi, S 799 E3 Cutter, SC 258 E3 Combi, S 378 E3 Cutter, S 789 E3 Cutter, R 521 E3 Ram, SP 333 E3 Spreader, and R 522 E3 Ram
- 2022 – eDRAULIC 3.0 expands with the R 320 E3 Mini Ram
- 2022 – HURST Jaws of Life celebrates its 50th Anniversary
- 2022 – HURST introduces E3 CONNECT as the industry’s first cloud-connected extrication tool line
- 2023 – The M40 Spreader debuts as the widest battery-powered spreader on the market
- 2024 – HURST Jaws of Life is ranked #1 in a federal report by the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL)
The success of eDRAULIC 2.0 and 3.0 set the foundation for what would come next—E3 CONNECT, where tools don’t just work—they communicate. HURST didn’t stop with being the first, the most powerful, or the most portable. It got smarter.
The E3 CONNECT is the latest evolution of the Jaws of Life, spanning more than 50 years of innovation since its release in 1972. These tools are equipped with onboard sensors and software integrations that provide:
- Tool diagnostics and usage tracking
- Battery health monitoring
- Real-time fault alerts
- Wi-Fi-enabled data transfer
The E3 CONNECT platform also integrates with IDEX Fire & Safety’s Captium Cloud, a smart equipment platform, to monitor, record, and report on tool performance and potential issues. It captures events like roll warnings, submersion in freshwater and saltwater, tool drops, and battery status, and reports these to the department.
E3 CONNECT makes it easier for users to comply with new NFPA requirements for reporting and maintenance by providing a Captium pre-recommended inspection checklist. It also alerts users about upcoming maintenance schedules, assists in scheduling service with HURST service partners, and offers a centralized system for documenting maintenance activities.
With this latest innovation, the extrication tool is no longer just a tool—it’s a system that thinks. It tells crews when service is needed, how efficiently tools are running, and provides peace of mind that gear will work flawlessly when it matters most.
Still Saving Lives. Still Leading.
As vehicle technology evolves—with electric cars, reinforced materials, and hybrid designs—so too must extrication tools. HURST is investing in new tool designs, better materials, higher-performance batteries, and smarter diagnostics to meet tomorrow’s rescue demands.
What began with a racing dream and vision of George Hurst has become the gold standard in rescue. Over the past five decades, the tools have evolved from heavy, truck-mounted systems to agile, intelligent, and battery-powered life-saving tools. But one thing hasn’t changed: HURST's mission to help rescuers save lives. Every innovation, every tool, every training session exists for the people behind the uniform.
Today, more than 35,000 rescue, fire, and police departments worldwide carry the HURST Jaws of Life system with them on their rescue and response missions. Thanks to continuous research and development, a commitment to safety and innovation, and a passion for power and speed, HURST will continue to provide the finest, most reliable rescue equipment possible.