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With steady growth in Kirkland and surrounding communities, the call volume for emergency responses has grown. With increased calls comes the need to lift and safely load more patients on cots than ever before.
The mission of the Kirkland Community Fire District (KCFD) is to protect the lives and property of people in Kirkland and surrounding communities. The department’s district covers approximately 82 square miles, the largest in DeKalb County. Their area includes four towns: Kirkland, Clare, Esmond, and Fairdale.
The KCFD embraces and practices the concepts of safe lifting and proper body mechanics through ongoing training. However, upgrading to powered patient transport equipment allows EMS providers to focus on life-saving patient care rather than worrying about the possibility of injury to themselves or the patient during the manual lift. In addition, the responders could respond to calls and reduce the need for extra manpower (needed on 95% of calls) to lift the cot into the ambulance. Powered equipment is easy and intuitive to use, exchanging the coordination of levers and strategic lifting with the ease of pushing a button.
In 2022, the Kirkland Community Fire District applied for a Community Needs Grant and received $10,400 in funding to purchase a Stryker’s Power Load lift. The KCFD raised the additional dollars through alternative sources, including a community fundraiser.
Funding for Community Needs Grants is made possible through donor generosity to Community Impact Funds at the Foundation. Thank you, donors, for making grants like these possible!
Together, with the support of our donors, the DeKalb County Community Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in DeKalb County. Grants from the Community Foundation come from a variety of grant programs. Each program is unique in how to apply, who it supports, and the impact it creates. So how do these grants impact the community in which we live? Explore more stories of impact from grantmaking!
Pictured: Upgrading transport equipment benefits both providers and patients.
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- The Kirkland Community Fire District is located at 3891 IL-72, in Kirkland, IL.
