Paramedics in Lacombe are about to feel a little safer after the province announced yesterday they are investing in new equipment.

More than 350 AHS ground ambulances, including every ambulance in Lacombe, will soon be equipped with hydraulic stretchers that can lift up to 317 kilograms.

The province is investing $20 million into the project, something Associate Executive Director with AHS, Mike Plato, says is extremely important.

“Our paramedics take care of patients in Alberta every day and every night. This is an investment into our paramedics so we can continue to take care of them, so they can be there for Albertans.”

Plato, says the feedback from paramedics across the province has been really positive so far.

“Even our seasoned veteran paramedics of 35 years of service feel that we just extended their careers. Stories and the feedback we are hearing from our staff is just incredible.”

“We are excited to announce to our staff that all of our ambulances are going to be improved as a result of this.”  

In an 18-month pilot project Alberta Health Services installed the lifts on eight inter-facility transfer vehicles and not a single lift-related injury was reported.

Over the same period, 84 injuries were reported by emergency medical personnel working in vehicles without the lifts.

Installation of the new equipment will begin this summer and anticipated to be complete by spring of 2018.