EMS gets ‘stair-chair’ thanks to grant
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Paramedic Kenny Moffitt recently demonstrated the unit to County Executive Kenneth Rogers and county safety coordinator Herb Klasek, both of whom were impressed with the ease of use of the unit.
“It looks very sturdy,” Klasek said, “and the way they operate it, looks real good.”
The chair has a 400-pound weight limit, and features a system where the heavier the patient, the slower the tread moves down the stairs.
“They shouldn’t have any trouble at all with large people,” Klasek said.
The units can be used for a variety of situations, particularly narrow areas where it would be difficult to maneuver stretchers, something Rogers feels is a great benefit.
“It is multi-purpose,” Rogers said. “But the main reason we got this was just to try to save these guys’ and gals’ backs, and to be able to get people safely down a flight of stairs. It’s a safety factor all the way around.”
Moffitt agreed and said the chair would be a boon to emergency personnel.
“It’s great,” Moffitt said. “It’s going to save a lot of backs, as opposed to using straight-back chairs or carrying them on stretchers, or trying to just manchandle them.”
The unit offers an surprising amount of control for the effort involved, according to Moffitt.
“You can maneuver it with one hand,” Moffitt said. “You can stop it with one hand, and then hold it with one finger. It’s all based on gravity and weight. It’s real easy to operate and real easy to set up.”
The units cost $2,500 and, according to Rogers, the county hopes to be able to eventually provide one for all four county ambulances.
“These are top-of-the-line,” Moffitt said. “About as good as they get.”
EMS director Leonard Madewell was pleased with the purchase as well.
“I think it’s great. Everybody seems to like it,” Madewell said. “We just need a couple more.”