New Rescue Sled Helps DRHC Ambulance Respond in Wooded Areas

Deer River, MN (November 23, 2005)- The duties of a Deer River Ambulance Services volunteer or staff member are filled with many special challenges, since a large portion of its 600 square mile service area is densely forested. Renee Donnelly, director of Deer River Ambulance Services, remembers vividly the day she and her ambulance team responded to a horseback riding injury deep in the Itasca County woods. Donnelly and her team could not reach the patient by ambulance.

"We drove as far as we could and then walked the trails about two miles to reach the patient," Recalled Donnelly. "The time we lost in reaching her was significant, because we could only go as fast as we could walk."

Because the injured rider had severe back pain, she needed to be back-boarded and carried back out of the woods. "Back pain can indicate any number of serious internal injuries and these patients need to reach the hospital as quickly and gently as possible. This patient was later found to have rib fractures and, fortunately, no life threatening injuries," Concluded Donnelly.

This was not the first time a patient was difficult to reach by ambulance. Deer River Ambulance Services had seen an increase in ambulance calls from snowmobile accidents, ATV accidents, horseback riding injuries and hunting accidents in hard to reach areas. The solution to their problem was clear. Deer River Ambulance Services needed a rescue sled.

A rescue sled, which transports patients safely and securely from remote locations, is equipped with wheels in the summer and skis in the winter. The patient is placed on a backboard and into the enclosed cabin. The sled is then pulled with a snowmobile or ATV.

The rescue sled was priced at over $5,300.00. Deer River Ambulance Services began raising the funds to purchase the sled last spring and in September 2005, their goal was accomplished. Thanks to the support of Lake Country Power, Bushwacker's Snowmobile Club, White Oak Casino, Deer River Volunteer Fire Department, Deer River Ambulance staff members and Onni Prestige, a local Eagle Scout, over $5,300.00 was raised and the rescue sled was delivered.

"We simply could not have reached our goal without these donations," Exclaimed Donnelly. " Deer River Ambulance Services is extremely grateful for this support and for the dedication of our Ambulance Service volunteers. Our community can take pride in knowing that they will be served by a well equipped and capable Ambulance Service."

Deer River Ambulance Service responds to emergency calls in Western and Northern Itasca County and Eastern Cass County. They expect an increase in mutual aid calls to the Longville ambulance territory in the future. They are owned and operated by Deer River HealthCare Center.

ABOUT DEER RIVER HEALTHCARE CENTER Deer River HealthCare Center, Inc. (DRHC) is a non-profit community owned and operated comprehensive health care campus. Located in Deer River, Minnesota, with a service area consisting of a 50-mile radius, the staff of 185 health care workers offers area residents a wide range of high-quality health care services - in one convenient location. Deer River HealthCare Center is committed to providing quality, compassionate health care for life.