JEMS to get four load systems

Jay Emergency Medical Service will be installing new equipment in its ambulances.

Jay County Commissioners OK’d contributing about $115,000 Monday to purchase power load systems for each Jay Emergency Medical Service (JEMS) vehicle.

Stryker Power Load systems are built into the floor of an ambulance, utilizing a hydraulic arm and track to lift cots, patients and equipment in or out. In October, commissioners OK’d purchasing one of the systems along with a remounting service for $223,854. JEMS director Kyle Gerlach explained Monday he looked into how much it would cost instead to purchase the systems in bulk per commissioners’ request. A single power load system is normally priced at about $39,000, but if the county were to purchase four, it would come to about $27,000 for each system.

Gerlach proposed an offer directly from the Stryker company, which included four power loads, three upgrade kits — they’ll be used to make the cots compatible with the new system — and a used cot for just over $130,000. JEMS would pay for the cot, which Gerlach estimated to be about $15,000, and a three-year service agreement for an additional $20,000 separate from the quoted price.

Gerlach and fellow JEMS director Gary Barnett both advocated for the system. Gerlach previously used power loads while serving as director of Mercer County Emergency Medical Service.

“If you really want to look at it, probably (within) a 100-mile radius, We are one of not even a handful of departments that don’t already have them,” he said.

The load system would also reduce the amount of back injuries JEMS staff could get while working, added commissioner Rex Journay.

(In October, Gerlach and Barnett noted 911 calls in which patients weighed more than 400 pounds and required additional assistance to lift their cot into the ambulance.) Gerlach pointed out one injury alone could cost the county nearly the same amount. Commissioner Brian McGalliard added a related injury to a patient could also be just as costly.

Commissioner Chad Aker, who also serves as a firefighter in Portland, said the equipment would be useful for local responders.

“It’s very beneficial, I mean, we have a lot of patients out there that are very large,” he said. “This will really save your backs. We have to have four, sometimes five people lifting a cot. This is going to be a significant benefit.”

Commissioners OK’d the equipment purchase. 

In related news, JEMS director and educator John McFarland noted the department has instructed 1,500 students since it started offering courses with Jay School Corporation, with Journay noting their classes have about a 98% completion rate. Aker commended the department’s work in the school system, specifically referencing the EMT program for high school students.

“I know I’ve personally worked side by side with some of these (EMTs) coming out of high school,” said Aker. “I know, last night, (I was) on call with a couple of the younger guys that just came out of your program. Excellent job. They were all professional about the job that they do. We’ve got the advantage because John’s doing something that most guys aren’t doing.”

Also, commissioners heard JEMS’ October financial report. The department had about $130,298.35 in expenses and brought in about $99,242.46.