By Jasmine Willis
WAYLAND - The local ambulance has been funded for a decontamination room, washer and dryer, and received a generous donation.
Springwater/Wayland EMS Chief Fred Grambs told this local reporter about the new Stryker Power Pro XT Cot that replaced the 15-year-old cot used in the old ambulance.
“It is used to load patients onto the ambulance, and we have used it on every call. This stretcher and mount was donated by the Gary Sinise Foundation. It is valued at $17,526,” he said. “This stretcher replaced the 15-year-old Ferno Unit that required more frequent maintenance due to its age. This new stretcher has a safe patient weight of 700 pounds and is powered. This will reduce injury to our volunteers.”
Grambs said when the pandemic hit the area renovations on the new building had to be put on hold. The old Bennett’s Buick Building was purchased by the Springwater and Wayland EMS before this all went down. Now there are things that need to be done to make it ready for the ambulance.
“The new building is a work in progress. We had to put a lot on hold due to the pandemic. We are back on track now. We had to hire an architect to make sure we were meeting safety requirements and have a building permit. The new garage door is on. We have the electricians and plumbers putting us on their schedules. Once we get the electrician taken care of we can move the ambulance over,” Grambs said.
Grambs said there were grants that came for the decontamination room, equipment and supplies.
“We also received a grant for decon equipment and protective equipment during the height of this pandemic. Part of that is getting a new washer and dryer for the decontamination room. We got $3,300 from the Covid 19 Community Response Fund. We just got $1,000 from The HNI Foundation to help with the decontamination room,” he said. “We are going to purchase the washer and dryer from Rauber’s. We will get personal protective equipment like face masks, face shields, and isolation gowns. We will have decontamination solution we put in spray bottles and a fogging solution for the ambulance. This will all be so our crew can take a shower, put their clothes in the washer and dryer, and decontaminate before getting in their cars. It will prevent crew members from decontaminating their cars and homes.”
The decontamination room will cost about $3,750 total. It is necessary for the safety of the volunteers and the public.
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