Every time we pass an accident on the roadway, our hearts sink.

Whose child is in that car? Is that my friend? Can I help this person?

A courageous few put their lives on the line each day with the goal of answering that last question. Given the tools necessary to save lives, their odds become much greater — and, in some cases, the risk to their own life much lower.

While there are other creative ways to get injured drivers and passengers out of vehicles, as anyone with experience in emergencies knows, time is everything. Sometimes saving even a few minutes is the difference between life and death for injured passengers.

Currently, the Buchanan City Fire Department does not have any extrication equipment, and as fire chief Robert “Mike” Adams pointed out, call volume for traffic accidents has nearly doubled, with many crashes resolving quick life-saving measures.

These reasons, among many others, are why we fully support and congratulate the Buchanan Masons for donating to help the fire department buy Jaws of Life equipment.

We also congratulate the Buchanan City Council for its willingness to revisit the issue after rejecting the proposal at an earlier meeting.  We appreciate skepticism when spending taxpayer dollars, but appreciate further the research and humility that went into reevaluating a decision that had already been made.

Going in to the summer season, our hope is that drivers remember to stay safe on the roads, watch their speed and refrain from erratic driving.

Nonetheless, we are pleased to know that the next time we drive past an accident in the Buchanan area, those tasked with saving our friends and neighbors will be equipped with the tools necessary to do so.

Opinions expressed are those of general manager Ambrosia Neldon, managing editor Sarah Culton, sports editor Scott Novak and reporter Adam Droscha.