$100K grant helps N.Y. ambulance corps with patient lifting

By Bill Carey
EMS1

CHAPPAQUA, N.Y. — A $100,000 state grant has helped make patient lifting easier for the Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

Funding from the New York State and Municipal Facilities grant equipped the ambulance corps' two ambulances with motorized Stryker stretchers , The Examiner News reported.

New Castle Councilman Jeremy Saland connected the corps with Sen. Peter Harckham who helped obtain the grant that covered the majority of the cost.

“We had to get the new ones and they cost an extraordinary amount of money, about $120,000,” Captain Marc Hirschfield said. “Through our state senator, we were able to get a grant to cover most of it. We appreciate your efforts very much.”

Hirschfield said since the new stretchers have been placed in service, there was one call that required personnel to lift and transport a patient weighing over 400 pounds. Once on the new stretcher, it lifted the patient with no difficulties.