Ky. county EMS uses FEMA funds to purchase ‘Medical Gator’ vehicle

By Mark Harrison
Marshall County Ambulance Service EMS Director

Photo Mark Harrison EMT-B Brian Harrison, left, and Paramedic/Supervisor Bryan Cutsinger staff the Medical Gator at the 2010 “Tater Days” event in Benton, Ky. Photo Mark Harrison During the parade, four 911 calls for medical emergencies within the city were dispatched. With a small size and maneuverability, the “Gator” was first on scene with Paramedics.

BENTON, Ky. — Marshall County EMS, based in Benton, Kentucky, serves residents and tourists of this southwestern Kentucky community, bordering Kentucky Lake, and the “Land Between The Lakes” recreation area.

Recently, they placed into service a John Deere Gator 4X4 XUV outfitted with a MedLite™ EMS insert in the cargo bed.

The medical insert allows for safe transport of a patient on a long spine board, or packaged in a Stoke’s type basket stretcher or litter.

It includes an adjustable attendant’s seat and a storage compartment with slide out tray for EMS equipment.

The Gator 4X4 utility vehicle was funded by ‘Marshall County Fiscal Court’ through allocation of FEMA reimbursement monies from the 2009 winter ice storm that struck this region.

Funding for the MedLite™ medical insert was obtained through a US Department of Homeland Security grant administered by Kentucky’s Office of Homeland Security.

Along with the Gator and EMS insert, a 20 foot long ‘Special Response Support Trailer’ was purchased to house and transport the off road rescue equipment county wide during major emergencies.

Additionally, this trailer has been outfitted with medical, rescue, communications, and command supplies for use as a forward command post during disaster responses throughout the region.

Emergency services administrators realized the need for this equipment during the 2009 winter ice storm.

Due to the numerous blocked roads caused by this regional natural disaster, health and welfare visits to elderly and infirm citizens were almost impossible.

Plus, some emergency transports were delayed for days due to restricted access by conventional emergency vehicles.

The Gator’s size and 4-wheel drive would have allowed it to go around many of these obstacles to reach those in need.

Also, Marshall County EMS responds to several ATV, hiking, boating and hunting accidents every year.

As such, the addition of this 4X4 off road emergency vehicle will improve response times and enhance the safety of both emergency personnel and patients.

For more information on the “Gator” project contact Marshall County EMS at: 270-527-1243