JOHNSTOWN - One ambulance center in Cambria County has a specialty piece of equipment no other station has, called Bariatric Transport.
It's used to carry a patient who is overweight or obese.
"It gives us the ability to move an obese person in a safe and dignified manner," said Ira Hart, director of West End Ambulance.
The bariatric stretcher's purpose is to help transport patients in and out of their home to a hospital.
"It has two ramps and a specialized stretcher where we pull the patient up the ramp. Its safer for the patient and employee," said Hart.
West End Ambulance is the only station who has one in Cambria and Somerset counties.
Northern EMS in Windber calls West End Ambulance a few times a year, as well as other stations across Cambria and Somerset, to get assistance with patients. But, the need to have a truck at each station isn't necessary.
"It just isn't justified for everyone to run out and buy one. It's only used a couple times a year. Plus, the cost in equipment alone without buying a new ambulance is $30,000 to $35,000 dollars," said Bob Statler, director of Northern EMS.
The truck is bigger than a regular ambulance with a wider stretcher and winch, or lifting device, to help workers carry a patient.
"The patient feels more comfortable; they're not squeezed into everything," said Statler.
According to stateobesity.org, 30 percent of Pennsylvanians are considered overweight. The state is ranked 24 in the United States.
Hart said those numbers could continue to rise.
"In 1990, Pennsylvania was at 15 percent. In the last 25 years we went up to 30 percent. If it keeps climbing at the current rate, by 2030, 56 percent of people in Pennsylvania will be obese. It's a true concern we all have to look at," said Hart.
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