EMS to buy New Stretchers

February 16th, 2008
By: LT Shawn Carroll & Rob Linnenbaugh

On Saturday February 16th the Avondale Fire Co. EMS Division tested a new type of stretcher, the Stryker Power Pro. This unit is a new battery operated stretcher capable of lifting 700 lbs. The benefit of the stretcher is to help EMS with work related injuries due to lifting. With this stretcher, as long as there are no stairs, the crew will not have to lift the weight of the patient. The EMS Division was recently awarded a grant in the amount of $9,969.00 from the State Fire Commissioner. With this grant the EMS Division will be purchasing two new stretchers, one for each of our ambulances. The fire company Chief Guy Swift and Past Chief Mike Decker did not believe the weight limit. They both took a ride on the new stretcher and of course the stretcher proved them wrong. The new stretchers will be placed in service in the near future with the completion of training of our personnel. Picture courtesy of Robert Linnenbaugh, EMS Captain (23-20).

Thanks to the Mushroom Festival for donating $2,000 towards these stretchers