City of Oak Creek

Common Council Report

Meeting Date:  December 6, 2005

Item No.:        

Recommendation:  That the Common Council approve the purchase of six chair stretchers and one ambulance cot from Stryker EMS Equipment for $20,977.00.

Background:  In the 2006 CIP the department received approval to purchase six stair chairs, one for each ambulance.  Stair chairs allow patients to be brought down stairs with the patient securely positioned and with much less chance of injury to the ambulance crew members.  The stair chairs will provide a safer, more controlled descent down stairs for sick or injured patients.  The system greatly reduces the potential for injury to personnel who have to carry patients (some of whom are very heavy) down steep and/or winding staircases.

The stretcher is a new version of our current equipment and includes a battery powered motorized lift which provides a safe controlled lift and descent for patients.  It also will reduce the possibility of lifting injuries to our staff and the resulting worker’s compensation and overtime costs.  The current department record for a patient’s weight is 714 pounds.

As presented during the budget process the department is sure of the effectiveness and efficiency of the stair chairs.  For the ambulance cot we want to buy one at this time and place it on our busiest unit, and gather experience with it before committing to additional units.  The purchase of these units as a group reduces their price by $1,764 if the order is placed by December 15, 2005.

Fiscal Impact:  The funds for this purchase are contained in the 2006 CIP and the Ambulance CIP 05-010.

Prepared by & Approved by:

Gerard R. Hammernik

Fire Chief

Fiscal Review by:

Beverly A. Buretta, CMC

City Clerk