Commission reviews $16,481 purchase for powered stair chair to reduce firefighter injuries

Red Bank fire officials requested authorization to purchase a Stryker‑branded powered stair chair, with a cost not to exceed $16,481, to aid patient movement on stairways and reduce physical strain on firefighter‑responders. Chief Seiler explained the department routinely responds to calls where two‑person engine crews must move patients on stairs and that manual movements increase the risk of injury to both responders and patients. He said a powered stair chair “significantly reduces the physical strain on responders” and improves operational efficiency and patient comfort. He told the commission the FY26 budget review approved the acquisition and that the chair will be mounted on the rescue truck and come with a battery, spare battery and charger. Commissioners asked about lead time; Chief Seiler said the vendor lead time is typically a few months. A commissioner recalled a prior minor injury from a stair carry; Chief Seiler said the missed workdays were limited but stressed the potential for career‑ending injuries from manual patient handling. The transcript records the staff presentation and discussion; a formal vote on the resolution was not recorded in the provided work session excerpt. Why this matters: the equipment is intended to reduce responder injury risk and to improve patient handling in residences with stairs where two‑person crews currently perform manual carries.