Post by wvmuvenon on Aug 20, 2014 9:49:01 GMT -5
Donation Request for the Purchase of a Motorized Stretcher for The Bakerton Volunteer Fire Department
The Bakerton Volunteer Fire Department (BVFD), Company 7, originated in 2006 and the station was built in 2008. BVFD is a total volunteer organization—all administration, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are volunteers. All with various backgrounds, educations, and training have daytime and/or nighttime jobs and are committed to provide emergency service freely to the community.
In 2012, Joshua “Josh” Smith accepted the position of Fire Chief for BVFD, and unfortunately, inheriting the corruption of two prior chiefs, one of whom was indicted recently for financial wrongdoing. (They ruined the reputation and financial welfare of this newly formed department.) That same year, Chief Smith introduced himself at the annual Glen Haven meeting letting the community know of the turnover and positive changes to come working to earn the trust back of the community. Chief Smith has instituted checks and balances to ensure that similar situations do not happen again. He is a positive role model for the department and the community.
In the summer of 2013, Chief Smith met again with the Glen Haven community and announced that the fire department had acquired an ambulance and was looking to put it in service. After many trials and struggles, fundraisers, gracious donations, and support from the Bakerton community, this is a done deal.
We are very excited to announce that BVFD has just purchased the last two essential items required by the State and county and will be in service September 15th. In addition to her yearly donation, this was made possible by long-time Glen Haven resident Lou Thompson who graciously donated $5,500.00 this week to purchase a Stryker Pro Stair Chair and a PortO2Vent CPAP Oxygen Delivery System. BVFD now has all required equipment making the ambulance a certified Advanced Life Support (ALS) unit in Jefferson County. This community has relied solely on Harpers Ferry, Company 1. Unfortunately, because of the distance, terrain, and possible unavailability of volunteers, Harpers Ferry’s response time can be 15 to 30 minutes. Now that we have an ambulance, the response time will be within minutes.
Although the ambulance will be in service, and many of the residents and homeowners have already generously donated this year, there is still a need for one additional piece of equipment for the ambulance. I would like to request on behalf of BVFD donations for a motorized ambulance stretcher essential to making this ambulance even more functional.
While not required for the ambulance to leave the station, this type of stretcher is used by all other Jefferson County fire departments so EMTs (first responders) can expediently assist in loading and transporting patients. BVFD currently has a standard manual stretcher, forcing the EMTs to squat, lift, and risk injury to themselves to assure patients are transported in a speedy and timely manner. A motorized stretcher would assist the EMTs at the press of a button lifting the patient’s full weight on its own. A motorized stretcher is also used for patients with abdominal pain, pregnancy, back pain, and those who are morbidly obese, amongst other conditions/injuries, because it is equipped with a motorized knee lift. Due to the size and weight of many patients, EMTs are at risk of physical injury themselves due to the manual lifting. In the long term, this threatens their ability to continue as EMTs as it endangers their own bodies and in the short term it delays getting the patient into the ambulance and to the hospital. Three of the five highly trained EMTs at Bakerton are female and with the use of a motorized stretcher, additional manpower will not be necessary for lifting and transporting a patient.
BVFD has a great team “brotherhood” of men and women who voluntarily donate their time and risk their safety by giving back to the community and county. In fact, some of you long-time residents know my daughter Samantha Turner, who grew up and still lives here in Glen Haven. Not only is she a paid EMT with Ryneal Medical Transport in Kearneysville, she is also a volunteer firefighter and EMT with BVFD. She would be one of the teams of first responders to a fire or medical emergency here in the neighborhood.
Now that I have introduced Josh and Samantha to you, please feel free to visit the fire station; they are always looking for new members and would be more than happy to show you around the facility.
The cost of a Stryker Power-Pro XT Stretcher is $18,100.00, which includes a 7-year warranty. Contributions to the purchase of the motorized stretcher may be made directly to:
Bakerton Fire Department, Company 7
891 Carter Avenue
Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
The Bakerton Volunteer Fire Department and I thank you in advance for any support or donation you can provide.
If you have any questions, you may contact the fire department at 304-876-0007.
Cyndy Thompson
Auxiliary Member
Bakerton Volunteer Fire Department