For the benefit of public safety – Donation makes it possible for department to buy new equipment
For the benefit of public safety
Donation makes it possible for department to buy new equipment
By Amanda Estes
Staff writer
A donation has made it possible for the Scarborough Fire Department to purchase new equipment that will improve their ability to respond to rescue situations.
The $90,000 bequest came from the estate of Elizabeth Rogers with the intent that the money be used for the Scarborough rescue/ambulance fund or as determined by the town manager. In November of 2004, the Town Council designated the money to be used for rescue/ambulance needs.
Fire Chief Michael Thurlow said that Rogers, a Scarborough resident, had once required rescue services and she was “very appreciative” of the care she received.
With the bequest, the department was able to purchase a new heavy rescue fire truck, three Stryker electric powered hydraulic stretchers and two Stryker stair chairs.
Lieutenant Steve Sloan said the stretchers, which arrived last week, will greatly reduce work related injuries that result from lifting patients in and out of emergency vehicles. A small battery that can last through 20 calls before needing to be recharged powers the stretchers. Lt. Sloan demonstrated how with the push of a button, the stretcher raises and lowers. Instead of one emergency medical technician lifting the head of the stretcher and one lifting the feet, this stretcher only requires two people to lift the feet. The stretchers also have a capacity of 700 pounds, as opposed to the 550 pounds that the older stretchers can withstand. Chief Thurlow said that was an important feature because EMTs are transporting more and more obese patients.
According to the company’s Web site, the Stryker stair chairs will improve the EMTs’ efforts to evacuate injured or disabled patients from multi-level buildings. The back of the chair is equipped with two tracks that resemble mini bulldozer treads and the tracks use the momentum from the patient’s weight to move the chair down the stairs. One of the advantages of the chair is that it allows the patient to sit upright, which according to the Stryker Company’s Web site, improves the patient’s “line of vision and creates more personal space between operators and patient.” The department now has a total of three stair chairs, as they were already operating a demo chair.
While the stair chairs have been on the market for several years, the hydraulic stretcher has been on the market for less than a year. To the best of Lt. Sloan’s knowledge, the Scarborough Fire Department is the only public department in the state to own such stretchers.
The heavy rescue fire truck was delivered on Jan. 20. The truck will replace the used 1981 Ford truck that has served the department for almost 14 years. The new truck differs from its predecessor in that firefighters will be able to fill 65 air bottles on site, which will reduce the need for fire fighters to leave the scene to obtain more bottles. Chief Thurlow expects the truck to be ready for service in another week or so.
Donation makes it possible for department to buy new equipment
By Amanda Estes
Staff writer
A donation has made it possible for the Scarborough Fire Department to purchase new equipment that will improve their ability to respond to rescue situations.
The $90,000 bequest came from the estate of Elizabeth Rogers with the intent that the money be used for the Scarborough rescue/ambulance fund or as determined by the town manager. In November of 2004, the Town Council designated the money to be used for rescue/ambulance needs.
Fire Chief Michael Thurlow said that Rogers, a Scarborough resident, had once required rescue services and she was “very appreciative” of the care she received.
With the bequest, the department was able to purchase a new heavy rescue fire truck, three Stryker electric powered hydraulic stretchers and two Stryker stair chairs.
Lieutenant Steve Sloan said the stretchers, which arrived last week, will greatly reduce work related injuries that result from lifting patients in and out of emergency vehicles. A small battery that can last through 20 calls before needing to be recharged powers the stretchers. Lt. Sloan demonstrated how with the push of a button, the stretcher raises and lowers. Instead of one emergency medical technician lifting the head of the stretcher and one lifting the feet, this stretcher only requires two people to lift the feet. The stretchers also have a capacity of 700 pounds, as opposed to the 550 pounds that the older stretchers can withstand. Chief Thurlow said that was an important feature because EMTs are transporting more and more obese patients.
According to the company’s Web site, the Stryker stair chairs will improve the EMTs’ efforts to evacuate injured or disabled patients from multi-level buildings. The back of the chair is equipped with two tracks that resemble mini bulldozer treads and the tracks use the momentum from the patient’s weight to move the chair down the stairs. One of the advantages of the chair is that it allows the patient to sit upright, which according to the Stryker Company’s Web site, improves the patient’s “line of vision and creates more personal space between operators and patient.” The department now has a total of three stair chairs, as they were already operating a demo chair.
While the stair chairs have been on the market for several years, the hydraulic stretcher has been on the market for less than a year. To the best of Lt. Sloan’s knowledge, the Scarborough Fire Department is the only public department in the state to own such stretchers.
The heavy rescue fire truck was delivered on Jan. 20. The truck will replace the used 1981 Ford truck that has served the department for almost 14 years. The new truck differs from its predecessor in that firefighters will be able to fill 65 air bottles on site, which will reduce the need for fire fighters to leave the scene to obtain more bottles. Chief Thurlow expects the truck to be ready for service in another week or so.
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