Making Lives safer for both patients and medical personnel, the Converse County Hospital Foundation recently purchased two $9,000.00 state-of-the-art stretchers for Memorial Hospital of Converse County’s Ambulance Service.

The Stryker PowerPro stretcher uses a battery operated hydraulic system that can lift 700 pounds at the push of button which will severely cut down on back injuries for medical personnel, explained foundation member Larry Mirch.

One of the number one causes for paramedic retirements are back injuries and once you get a back injury, you keep getting them,” Mirch explained.

Powered by at 24-volt DeWalt battery, the stretchers can go up and down without having to put unnecessary torque on the back of first responders, EMS coordinator Jay Johnson said.

Hydraulic stretchers are fairly new technology that has only been around for the past couple of years, Mirch said.

The battery-powered stretcher can raise and lower 30 times before needing a recharge, according to Mirch. The stretcher may also be operated manually in the event of a battery failure.

To purchase the stretchers, the Foundation pooled resources from all the of their fund raisers from last year.

“It seemed like a really good thing that would help out all of the citizens of the county,” Mirch said. Johnson agreed, adding that it was nice to see the Hospital Foundation “Step up” for a project such as this. “They were a great help in getting these things purchased, “Johnson said.