The Fire Department typically responds to approximately 7,000 emergency medical incidents per year. The majority of calls expose personnel to some form of spinal and joint loading due to activities such as lifting, lowering, carrying, and loading a patient and cot into an ambulance. Often these activities involve awkward lifting postures and hazardous conditions. While safer lifting policies have been introduced, emergency medical service (EMS) personnel still lift weights which other healthcare workers can avoid. Operating in this demanding environment over an extended period of time can lead to cumulative trauma injuries.  The Village has determined that a major component of an overall solution is the adoption of power cots and lifting systems in Fire Department EMS operations. The Fire Department identified a system that meets its operational requirements and purchased one Stryker Power-Pro XT powered cot and one Stryker Power-Load lifting system in 2016. The combined system has been in operation for nearly one year in one of the Village’s four front-line ambulances, with very good results.

With the successful trial use of the power load cot system, the Fire Department budgeted for three additional cots and loaders for 2017. The cots were bid out in February and we received two responses. Shortly after the bid opening, it was learned that the Village might join IRMA for insurance and IRMA offers a potential $15,000 grant per cot under their agreement. The bid, which was only good for 90 days, was put on hold while the Board determined whether to join IRMA. The Village became a member of IRMA as of June 1, 2017.  We then submitted the applications to IRMA for the grant funds to purchase the cots. There is a first-come/first-served basis for obtaining the $15,000 grant funds, until IRMA’s budgeted amount is depleted. The grant fund can only reimburse one cot per year for each member agency, with priority given to agencies that have not previously received a grant.  The Village will not know whether funds are available for 2017 until we submit the invoice to IRMA.  In 2018, the Village will submit the invoice again to request cot #2 grant funds of $15,000, and again in 2019, for a total possible reimbursement of $45,000.  In addition to the $15,000 grant, Stryker offers a discount for municipalities associated with IRMA. $166,500 is available in account #401-3501-572.50-15 EQ95-02. Although the bids are no longer valid, for comparison purposes, the IRMA price from Stryker is lower than the price that Stryker bid in February by about $3,000. Stryker has been determined to be responsible and has met specifications.

Stryker EMS with

IRMA discount                                   $145,205.94

RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended that the Village Board award a contract to Stryker EMS of Johnsburg, IL for the purchase of three Power-Pro XT ambulance cots and loaders for a total of $145,205.94.