Posted by Laura Knowles on Jan 18, 2018
During the holidays, Rich and Wendy Motz were raising money for the Lititz Fire Company through their spectacular Laurel Avenue Christmas lights display. They never imagined that the same volunteer fire company was about to save their daughter-in-laws life. "It just goes to show that you don't know when you'll need the fire company. We are sure grateful they were there for us," says Rich Motz.
 
On Nov, 13 Rich received a call that his daughter-in-law Misty had been in a car accident that morning. He rushed to the scene and met up with his son as the Lititz Fire company was in the process of extricating Misty from her crumpled car. It only too a few minutes to get her out of the mangled car. 
 
The Motzes are grateful for something called an AMKUS rescue system battery-operated cutter tool. That's what the fire company used to cut through the framework of the car to save Misty. The cutter is like a huge pair of clippers that rips right through metal. In the past, it might have been called the Jaws of Life, but that term is outdated, and the steel used in cars has changed. 
 
Fortunately, the Lititz Fire Company had just received an $11,000 gift from the Lititz Rotary Club as part of the funds raised for community service through the annual Lititz Craft show and the Travelogue film series. 
 
Barry Miller of the Lititz Rotary Club is also impressed by the larger cutter that the Rotary Club funded for the fire company. "That's what the Lititz Rotary Club is all about. We raise money for community services in the Warwick area and throughout Lancaster County that affect local people." he explained, noting that proceeds from the craft show and travelogue are approximately $75,000.  
 
It's gratifying to realize the impact of this tool. Any of us could be in the same situation and it means a lot to know the fire company has the dedicated people and equipment they need," Miller said.