Chappaqua Ambulance Corps New Mechanical Stretchers Vital For Safety

CHAPPAQUA, NY — A state lawmaker had an opportunity recently to see firsthand how his work in Albany made a difference in the lives of his constituents back home.

New York State Senator Pete Harckham took an opportunity to visit the Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps (CVAC) to inspect the two new mechanical stretchers purchased with a $115,000 state grant that he secured.

"It is so important to make sure that our first responders have the latest and newest equipment available so they can do their jobs safely and effectively," Harckham told those gathered. "We will continue to do everything possible to help them meet the needs of our community, and we thank them for their service and sacrifice."

The new mechanical stretchers, considered vital for the safe transport of patients, are fully automated and used on every 911 call. The stretchers replaced stretchers that were seven years old and malfunctioning.

According to the CVAC, a huge benefit of the new stretchers is that they allow the first responders to easily load and unload patients from ambulances without having to lift both individuals and the heavy stretcher apparatus. Instead, the stretcher’s legs fold under the cot automatically as the stretcher is rolled into the vehicle.

"New stretchers are quite expensive," CVAC Captain Marc Hirschfield explained. "The grant from Senator Harckham enabled us to purchase the needed stretchers. CVAC very much appreciates the Senator’s efforts as well as the efforts of New Castle Town Councilmember Jeremy Saland in connecting us with the Senator and helping to arrange for the grant."

CVAC answered more than 900 calls last year, double the pre-Covid pandemic levels.

The awarded grant funding was secured within the State and Municipal Facilities Program (SAM), which is among the grant programs administered by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) to support community and economic development.

Harckham's office said the NYS Senator has helped to secure more than $2.1 million in state funding for firefighters and first responders in his district since 2019. The funds have been used to make critical vehicle and equipment purchases to ensure the safety of area residents.

"I am grateful I could connect our volunteers with Senator Harckham, who put in the time and effort to secure a much needed grant for two new stretchers," New Castle Town Councilmember Jeremy Saland said. "And I am thankful knowing we can count on our selfless volunteers—and Senator Harckham — to step up for New Castle when our residents need them most."