Palm Beach County District Chief Honored for Innovation

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue District Chief Daryl Newport was awarded the IAFC’s prestigious Harvey Grant Award of Excellence for his invention called “The Capabear Claw”.

Chief Newport developed a stabilization device that is made out of made of a lightweight aluminum alloy and uses variable lengths of 4x4 lumber to stabilize vehicles that are involved in accidents. The Capabear Claw features a non-slip, extra wide base that allows it to be used on "soft" surfaces. The device eliminates the need for box cribbing (wood) in many situations saving time and space.
Sponsored by Fire-Rescue Magazine, Holmatro Industrial & Rescue Equipment, and Mosby Publishing, this prestigious award was established in 1993 to honor the late Harvey Grant and his pioneering devotion to the extrication and rescue field. Its purpose is to acknowledge present-day "innovators" whose new ideas and creativity will benefit rescuers and/or victims for years to come. This award recognizes fire/rescue agencies or individuals for cost-effective, innovative ideas that further rescue capabilities.

Chief Newport was presented the award at the 2003 Fire- Rescue International Conference and Symposium, which was held, August 22-25 in Dallas, Texas. He is one of only 11 individuals in the country to have received this prestigious award.

Chief Newport is a 27-year veteran firefighter assigned to PBCFR’s Special Operations Battalion B Shift. He has developed many departmental procedures on vehicle extrication, technical rescue and hazardous material mitigation. He is a nationally recognized instructor and considered an expert in the art of vehicle extrication. He has been recognized for his devotion to the fire service and community numerous times and has distinguished himself as the department’s most highly decorated officer.

Story by Neil Isler www.iaff2928.com