Tools are an essential part of the human experience. It’s through the use of tools that we as a species have taken command of the world around us and shaped it to fit our needs.

What’s interesting is that in 2018 we are still as reliant on tools as we were 2,000 years ago.

That is exemplified in two incidents that occurred in the Greater Valley Area last Thursday.

The first is the training course that members of several local and nearby fire departments attended, in which they got to use tools for extricating people from damaged vehicles.

This seminar, put on annually with the help of Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia and Hurst Jaws of Life, allowed the firefighters the chance to pull apart, cut into and peel open a number of donated vehicles.

Unlike a live action situation, there was no victim in this case, therefore responders were able to take their time without the added stress of another person’s life being at risk.

These tools, and the ability to use them correctly, can mean the difference between life and death. Firefighters should be commended for keeping their training up to date.

The second incident, which happened at around the same time, involved a high-speed chase that started near Valley High School and ended in Lanett when the driver overturned his vehicle near South 11th Street.

The reason the chase ended was because the driver made a sudden turn at high speed to avoid a police road block, one where spike strips had been placed.

These officers were ready with one of the best tools available for stopping a speeding vehicle and they were trained to use it most effectively.

Both of these incidents show the importance of having the proper tools and being trained in their use. The fact that our emergency responders have both is as close to a glowing endorsement as one can get.