TEMS using new vehicle
By MARK MILLER, Staff writerArticle Photos
TORONTO - TEMS Joint Ambulance District officials have purchased a new vehicle that will aid them in providing emergency medical care in special circumstances.
The 2008 John Deere Gator has a medical bed attachment and is fully equipped with trauma equipment, according to Clark Crago, TEMS chief of operations.
The Gator will be used for special operations such as off-road incidents involving all-terrain vehicles or hunting accidents. In addition, the new equipment will be used during festivals, sporting events and holiday celebrations when moving through crowds and large areas is necessary, said Crago.
The Gator has the capability of transporting two injured patients and three emergency medical personnel out of remote settings to awaiting EMS vehicles or medical helicopters, said Crago.
The TEMS Joint Ambulance District has experienced increases annually in off-road emergency incidents, said Crago. The emergencies include rescuers carrying patients and equipment great distances, often taking away from getting patients to the hospital, he added.
Since 2005 the TEMS Joint Ambulance District has been working to improve its off-road capabilities. Since then, three grants have been awarded to purchase a 2006 four-wheel drive Ford Expedition that allows for the transport of patients without being in the weather while on open trails. The Gator will allow personnel to get deeper into remote settings than the Expedition allows.
This will save time in getting rescuers and medical equipment to those injured and transported out, thus potentially saving lives, according to Crago.
The Gator was purchased through the Ohio state bidding process. Equipment for the vehicle was purchased with grant funding from the Ohio Department of Public Safety.
(Miller can be contacted at mmiller@heraldstaronline.com.)
