THE EGGERTSVILLE HOSE COMPANY IN WESTERN NEW YORK has equipped and put into service an EMT bicycle squad, joining a growing number of FRD’s around the country that are enhancing their services this way.
Eggertsville Hose Company photo
The all-volunteer fire company just outside of Buffalo bought two specially-built trail bikes and equipped them with a defibrillator, oxygen and other first-aid items, such as ice packs and bandages. The equipment is carried in storage compartments and large canvas packs near the rear wheels of the 24-speed bicycles. They have approx. $2,000 invested in each bike including the equipment.
Riding the lightweight, but heavy-duty, bikes is not an easy task with all that additional weight on them, but so far the department has trained 26 members to operate them. Their primary use will be at large community gatherings such as carnivals, or more wide-ranging events such as mini-marathons where the bicycle team could get first-responders on the scene of an emergency more quickly than waiting for an ambulance to arrive.
They also plan to provide bike safety classes for children.
The Buffalo News has more HERE.
Visit Eggerstville Hose Company’s excellent WEBSITE.
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