LINCOLN – Saying they didn’t want firefighters to go without valuable rescue tools, town councilors voted 7-0 Monday night to buy them a new Jaws of Life hydraulic rescue unit and emergency air bags, town officials said Tuesday.

Through three motions, the council agreed to appropriate $26,206 for the purchases, which included $500 to help firefighters buy a rescue boat. The contributions bring the firefighters’ boat fund to $6,275, Town Manager Glenn Aho said.

“It’s always important to have the right tool for the right job,” Aho said Tuesday. “We have Jaws equipment, and it works well, but it’s very old. Having new equipment will give firefighters confidence knowing that they have the right tool to do the job.”

Industrial Protection Services LLC of Wilmington, Mass., won a contract with bids of $21,000 for the hydraulic rescue tool and $4,706 for the air bag. The equipment should arrive in 30 days.

The hydraulic tool is used by rescue workers to free victims from crashed vehicles or other small spaces. The tool includes cutters, spreaders and rams. The well-known tool is popularly referred to as Jaws of Life, a trademark of Hale Products Inc.

The Fire Department’s hydraulic rescue unit is working fine, but it is at least 20 years old, could break down at any time and is old enough that its manufacturer no longer makes spare or replacement parts, interim Police and Fire Chief Phil Dawson said.

He and Aho elected not to request one in the Fire Department’s 2007-08 budget, saying they had to draw a line somewhere.

Dawson said Howland’s Volunteer Fire Department had just bought a new Jaws and that firefighters would not lose a great amount of time waiting for it to be dispatched from Howland or Lee to a Lincoln emergency.

Councilors disagreed, saying the tools were too valuable to go without.

Firefighters also are trying to raise about $15,000 for a semirigid inflatable hull rescue boat with a 25-horsepower engine. The boat would be used for water rescues and safety and fire suppression in situations involving coastline or water-based fires. The department now lacks a boat.

Letters seeking contributions went out to residents and area businesses on Aug. 16. Contributions may be mailed to: Town of Lincoln, 63 Main St., Lincoln 04457.