WSMV Channel 4 LaVergne rolls out potentially life-saving off-road vehicle

LaVergne rolls out potentially life-saving off-road vehicle

The City of LaVergne has received a life-saving, off-road vehicle, which will be able to help rescue injured patients despite the rough and tough terrain.

Emergency services has now added a potentially life-saving piece of equipment; a six wheel, Polaris Ranger off-road vehicle.

When there is a major emergency, time is critical.

"Every second counts in an emergency," said LaVergne Emergency Coordinator Rick McCormick.

It has been quite a challenge for the City of LaVergne Emergency Services first responders trying to reach some patients in the past.

"We probably have over 100 acres like this (rough terrain) all of LaVergne," McCormick said. "This definitely could mean the difference between life and death for people that are off road in  wooded areas or ravines."

Last year a girl was injured in a horseback riding accident in the backwoods on a piece land owned by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. It took quite a while to get the patient to an ambulance - something city officials don't want that to happen again.

McCormick said, "We ended up waiting on crews from Rutherford County to get their Special Op ATV down to remove the patient from a wooded area that was a great deal off the roadway."

The off-road vehicle will also be used for emergencies at LaVergne's 55-acre Veterans Memorial Park.  The city has already put up emergency checkpoints to be able to quickly locate injured patients.  

"The all-terrain (vehicle) should be able to get to them quicker to the ambulance and hospital, so I agree,"said LaVergne resident J.B. Barrera.

And it didn't cost taxpayers one cent. The vehicle, trailer and other accessories were paid for with a $25,000 grant from Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation.

LaVergne Emergency Services is hoping to add a bed extension in the future complete with a stretcher, oxygen and intravenous (IV) pole, even a seat for a medic to ride in back with the patient.

This is quite an improvement from what medical first responders used in the past.

"We were using an old Commandeer golf cart that we could barely make it around on paved streets with,"McCormick said.

LaVergne Emergency Services officials said the additional equipment they want to add to the off-road vehicle is going to cost several thousand dollars.  They are soliciting businesses to help pay for it in order to save taxpayers more money.

The off-road, first-aid vehicle will be introduced to the public Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 3:30 p.m. at the Firehouse Subs in Smyrna, located at 337 Sam Ridley Parkway.

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