New Stretcher Bought with Foundation Grant Makes Transporting Medical Patients Easier

LOCK HAVEN – Goodwill Hose Co. Ambulance Association at 512 Canal St. in Flemington is busy. Indeed, the company is on track to respond to 2,000 calls for help again this calendar year, said Paramedic Kim Shainline, Goodwill’s chief of operations. That’s nearly 5.5 calls per day. To handle such a volume, Goodwill has 15 Paramedics/PHRNs (pre-hospital registered nurses), five advanced EMTs, and 16 EMTs and two EMRs (emergency responders). The company staffs one Advanced Life Support truck around the clock (that’s a minimum of one EMT and one Paramedic/PHRN), Shainline said. “Our fleet consists of three ambulances and one medic responder unit. As an example, on Aug. 23 we had all three ambulances on the street for 911 calls and two local community standbys.” With that volume of calls, it’s important the company provide responders with up-to-date equipment that’s easy for staff to use and, importantly, safe for patients. Making their job a little easier is a new, more versatile Stryker Pro 2 Stretcher the company bought with a $32,000 grant from the Clinton County Community Foundation.

Shainline and crew recently demonstrated the stretcher for the Foundation. The litter is fully automated. One of its most critical features is its easy maneuverability, allowing paramedics to keep the litter at a safe level on uneven surfaces, minimizing the risk of tipping. The litter also is a lighter weight than older stretchers.

Shown with the new litter, from left, are Shainline; Traci Kuntz, Goodwill Hose treasurer; Alvin Stoltzfus, assistant chief, and Don Grant, ambulance company president. Meanwhile, Shainline said Goodwill Hose is looking to hire a full-time and multiple per-diem paramedics, PHRN’s (pre-hospital registered nurse) and PHPE’s (pre-hospital physician extender). You can send a resume to chief@goodwillems21.com. To learn more about the Foundation and how to support the community or honor loved ones, call 570.220.1038 or visit www.clintoncountyfoundation.org.