When a hiker gets hurt on a mountain or in the woods, it can take a team of up to 10 first responders to carry them to safety.
Responding to such emergency calls is a labor-intensive effort, according to Westminster Fire Chief Kyle Butterfield, because in addition to the firefighters carrying a patient down a mountain or through the woods, a support staff is required to transport medical bags and cardiac monitors and other necessary equipment.
“Traditionally, during these long extrications, we utilize six to eight personnel to carry patients in a Stokes basket (stretcher) to remove them,” he said.
The department is studying ways to make such rescues easier. Firefighters have begun testing a single-wheel extrication litter, on loan from the Ashburnham Fire Department, for mountain and woods rescues, Butterfield said.
“The goal is to reduce responder fatigue, increase patient comfort and maximize the use of personnel. We will evaluate these devices and determine which one fits our needs before moving forward purchasing one,” he said.
