Saratoga Springs' first responders will get $124,637 in new equipment and services after the city OKed the purchase at the city council meeting April 5. The equipment will be distributed between the city’s two fire stations.
The majority of the items purchased are replacements for existing equipment regularly used by first responders.
These include airpacks for firefighters, defibrillators, blood pressure cuffs, and the battery packs and fuel cells needed to power these items.
The most notable piece of new equipment is a “power stretcher,” which is a motorized gurney used to transport patients. It features a battery-powered hydraulic system that raises and lowers the bed at the touch of a button.
Commissioner of Public Safety James Montagnino said the equipment purchase was driven in part by the growing need for Saratoga fire and EMS services.
“As the city has expanded, we have seen our number of service calls increase by more than 50 percent, but the number of staff has only increased by 9%,” he said.
In addition to serving existing needs, Montagnino said additional equipment and staffing will allow the city to expand the types of services provided by its first responders. EMT services currently produce about $1.5 million in revenues for the city each year, and the potential exists to grow that figure, Montaganino said.
“We’re in talks now with SPAC to have one of our ambulances on site during performances,” says Montagnino. “Right now, SPAC contracts with a private company for those services. We’re also talking with some of the hospitals to see how we can help facilitate inter-hospital transports and transfers of patients to long-term care facilities.”
Both the equipment and services will be provided by Stryker Corporation, a Kalamazoo, Michigan-based manufacturer of medical devices. Stryker, who has worked with the city in the past, was awarded the contract following a competitive bid process overseen by the Department of Public Safety.
The city will pay Stryker $42,000 this year, and $20,659 annually over the next four years. A portion of these monies will be paid using available 2021 funds.
According to Montagnino, none of the equipment from this purchase has been earmarked for the new Fire Station #3, which the city hopes to have built and operational by summer 2023.
Requests for Proposals for Fire Station #3 have been issued and will be due on April 28. Bids include those for general construction, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical work. The RFP’s are available for viewing on the city’s website.