As the saying goes, "I'd rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it!"  Such was the case, when in the second quarter of Friday night's University of Louisville versus Rutgers University NCAA football game, U of L's senior cornerback, Anthony Conner, broke his neck while making a tackle.  Fortunately, U of L's athletic department medical staff recently placed a new 2011 John Deere Gator 825i XUV in service to respond to just such an event.  The 4X4 Gator XUV (Crossover Utility Vehicle) has fully independent front and rear suspensions, making it the perfect solution for critical off road patient transports like this.  Also, this Gator is outfitted with a MedLite™ emergency medical bed insert with Turtle Tile™ matting on the stretcher deck for an even smoother ride.

U of L's medical staff and Yellow Ambulance of Louisville paramedics stabilized Conner on a long spine board with a head immobilizer as he laid on the 27 yard line after impact.  Once stabilized, Conner was gently loaded on to the stretcher deck of the MedLite.  After securing the player and backboard to the MedLite's rails, paramedics on the Gator were able to monitor the injured player as he was safely transported over 100 yards to a waiting ambulance just off the playing surface at the other end of the field.

UPDATE:  1:00 PM, Monday, Oct. 24, 2011 -- As of this writing, Conner underwent surgery at the Louisville Jewish Hospital to stabilize a cervical spine fracture.  Latest reports indicate he is not paralyzed and has feeling in all his extremities.  Doctors have stated there is no reason to expect Conner will not walk out of the hospital upon his release later this week.

>>>  GATOR 825i 'XUV' shown above was purchased through HARTLAND EQUIPMENT of Louisville  <<<

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CONGRATULATIONS to 'Wilderness VFD' in Mt. Lookout, West Virginia!

///EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT is proud to announce a new 'MedLite' Transport Deluxe MTD-11 EMS / Rescue bed insert was recently delivered to Wilderness Volunteer Fire Dept. in Mt. Lookout, West Virginia.  This off road rescue utility vehicle bed insert includes custom cut 'Turtle Tile' stretcher deck matting by TURTLE Plastics, and a JUNKIN JSA-200 basket stretcher.  Wilderness VFD also took delivery of a new 'FireLite' FDH-11 Fire-Rescue insert (not shown) for this same 2004 Polaris 6X6 Ranger.  According to Chief "Mac" McClung, their plan is to swap out the inserts as seasonal mission requirements change.

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///EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT recently participated in the 2011 DIXIE FIRE SCHOOL in Elizabethtown, KY.

During this event, KIMTEK Corporation and ///EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT presented a new 'MedLite' MTD-11 EMS / Rescue bed insert to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture's "Farm and Home Safety Training Program."  This off road rescue utility vehicle bed insert includes custom cut 'Turtle Tile' stretcher deck matting donated by TURTLE Plastics.  Mike Brady of ///EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT installed the insert on a new John Deere 825i Gator 4X4 'XUV' donated by Deere & Co. through HARTLAND Equipment in Bowling Green.  This off road rescue vehicle will be used during Farm Rescue and ATV / UTV Safety & Rescue courses across Kentucky.  So, check out KDA's new ride at almost every emergency services school and rescue equipment display across the state!