MAHOPAC – New York State Senator Pete Harckham announced that $50,000 in state grant funding has been awarded to the Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department for the purchase of a state-of-the-art stretcher system and gurney for its emergency response vehicle.
The awarded grant funding, which Harckham secured within the State and Municipal Facilities Program (SAM), will reimburse the Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department for total costs associated with the acquisition and installation of a Stryker Power-LOAD fastening system and a new, corresponding gurney. The Power-LOAD has a battery-sourced hydraulic system that raises and lowers the gurney for easier loading and unloading of patients.
“Making sure that our first responders have advanced up-to-date equipment to do their jobs and ensure the safety and well-being of our residents is a top priority of mine,” said Harckham. “The Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department serves a busy district, and the funding for the new stretcher and loading system will benefit both the first responders and residents. I am happy to have helped gain this important investment for the community while also alleviating some of the financial burden on the town’s taxpayers.”
The loading and lifting capacities of the new emergency patient transport equipment will help reduce debilitating back injuries for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) first responders and caregivers.
“The power stretcher system, both the lift and gurney, will offer safety benefits to patients and first responders,” said Chris Pfaffenberger, one of the Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department commissioners. “It also allows one crew member to lift a patient into the emergency vehicle—a real plus when you don’t have an extra crew member on board to help with the lifting. So, this is an important asset for the department, and we greatly appreciate Senator Harckham’s support for our mission and service.”
The Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department answered over 1,000 calls last year, fire and EMS included, out of three different stations. The department’s district covers approximately 14 square miles and is home to about 14,000 residents.
