News : NBA Crew Foundation helps raise money for ambulance equipment

Several months ago, an elderly man lost control of his minivan and ended up in a steep ditch south of Shellsburg. He was not seriously injured, but the emergency workers who responded to the scene faced the challenge of how to safely carry the man up the steep incline to the ambulance.

A new organization, the North Benton Ambulance Crew Foundation, has been formed to help the Vinton-based ambulance service purchase two Stryker Pro-Stair Chairs. The chairs are equipped with special braking devices that make it safer to haul a patient up or down stairs. They also include a variety of handle extensions that make hauling patients more ergonomically-friendly for the crew members.

"We have a lot of patients who live in upstairs area," said Mary Phillips, one of the members of the new foundation.

A recent pancake breakfast fund-raiser brought in $1,7000 (before expenses); profits will go toward the purchase of two Stryker chairs, one for each ambulance. "These chairs would be safer for the patient, and a real back-saver for the crew," said Phillips. Phillips said that forming a foundation allows more fund-raising opportunities and grant possibilities for the NBA. "There are certain grants we can be eligible for that the bigger group can't get," said Phillips. A recent purchase made with the assistance of the foundation's fund-raising was the automated CPR device. The NBA Crew Foundation is also planning to start its own web site, as well as continue fund-raising efforts. The group is considering a poker run, as well as other fund-raising dinners or breakfast events in the spring of 2012. They will also continue applying for grants from a variety of funding sources. Phillips thanked the residents of the Vinton area for their years of supporting the ambulance services through donations and participants ion fund-raising events. "The community has been just awesome," she said. "They always have been. They continue to be great about helping us out. We can't thank them enough for their support."