The Belleville Intelligencer – “Heavy Lifting for EMS”

Thursday, February 9th

A presentation addressing the physical demands of Paramedics and new Power Stretcher technology was recently presented to the Hastings County Emergency Services Committee by HQPS Chief Doug Socha.

“Paramedics are carrying patients that are heavier, and we’re also carrying more and more equipment, more medications,” said Socha. “That’s good for patient care in the fact that we’re carrying more equipment to use, at the same time it is adding an additional physical demand to paramedics.”

“To that end he is looking at a trial to equip paramedics with power stretchers which would allow paramedics to raise and lower patients through the use of motors instead of physically lifting them.”