At a recent meeting of the Polk County Board of Commissioners an update was given by Emergency Medical Services Director Michael Crater about how his department has used grant funds and donations to purchase equipment.

The department has received funds from CARES and Firehouse Subs in the past, along with donations from the community, that have made it possible to buy several pieces of equipment. Using these cost-saving measures results in fewer taxpayer dollars being spent on much-needed equipment.

For example, Crater gave a demonstration of a power lift stretcher to the Board of Commissioners. This piece of equipment typically costs $31,000 when new or $14,000 for a refurbished stretcher. Crater said he was able to purchase the stretcher for $2,500 – money that was donated by someone EMS had transported – from another EMS group that was forced to close.

Along with the power lift stretcher, the department has purchased other pieces of equipment, such as a stair chair, ventilators, generators, and a storage building filled with needed supplies.

Firehouse Subs donated an ATV that is used at many different outdoor events. Crater said that it is used “all the time” by his EMTs.

Did you know? According to the Firehouse Subs website, a portion of your purchase in 2022 at all U.S. Firehouse Subs locations goes to the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, to be used to provide lifesaving equipment to first responders and since the Foundation started, more than $65 million has been donated “to provide equipment, training, and support to hometown heroes.”

Crater also gave information about how calls to Emergency Medical Services rose last year, according to data that Crater presented to the commissioners. In 2020 there were 2,919 calls and that number rose to 3,269 in 2021.

So far this year, as of March 6, there had been 525 calls. Breaking that down, it means EMS has averaged 8.07 calls per day this year.

At the moment, there are five paramedic job openings with Polk County EMS. If you, or someone you know, is interested, please check out this link to learn more information.