The Town of Newburgh Emergency Medical Services has a new ambulance, thanks largely to a grant secured for the EMS service by State Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson. The new vehicle replaces one that the Town EMS purchased in 2018.

 

The total cost of the new ambulancewas about $380,000 with $365,000 being supplied by a legislative grant. The ambulance being replaced was purchased with a similar grant, and another ambulance currently in use was as well. Chris Napolitano, the Executive Director of the Town of Newburgh EMS, said that the replacement was needed, saying “We spent a record amount on maintenance last year on that old ambulance, just trying to keep it on the road.”

 

The vehicle comes with a variety of modern features that make it easier to use, and safer for both the EMS personnel and the patients riding in it. The exterior of the vehicle includes light up door handles, which allow the workers to see where supplies are stored along the outside of the vehicle, even when responding at night. For a similar reason, the black trim around the bottom of the vehicle has circulating red lights that help first responders know where to step when entering the vehicle.

 

Inside the vehicle, the stretcher is attached to a powered load system. Napolitano said that the system is especially helpful in preventing injuries for personnel. He said “One of the leading injuries for EMS personnel are back injuries…We used to have to crouch down and pick up to load a patient, you don’t have to do that anymore.” Another improvement that takes the weight off of the workers’ back is a powered stair chair, a wheelchair with tank-like treads that allow it to go up and down stairs without needing to be carried.

 

The seats inside of the ambulance also have a new feature, the straps used to secure riders in their seats contain airbags. Napolitano said “Those are neck bracing airbags, so on impact they’ll blow up, and the bus itself has interior airbags that will inflate.”

 

The Town EMS receives over 5,000 calls for service every year, and helps on calls from locations as far away as Goshen and Beacon. Napolitano said that the service averages about 12 to 15 calls a day, with some days hitting twice that number. “And oftentimes, multiple times a week we have all of our equipment out in one day.” he said.

 

Napolitano said that improved equipment didn’t just help when responding to calls. It also helped with retention, he said “Our turnover rate is so low here because we get good equipment for our people.”