LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. — Obesity is a nationwide problem and Laurel County is no exception. According to James Hacker with Ambulance Inc., a large part of the population transported by their agency requires extra help.

“We transport around 9,500 patients a year,” Hacker said. “We all know that obesity is a problem and 38 to 40 percent of Laurel County’s population is obese.”

Due to the special needs of people  weighing over 400 pounds, Hacker approached the Laurel County Fiscal Court to address a potential solution for the problems emergency personnel face.

“Most of the time we find these patients in an upstairs back bedroom or around a corner,” he said. “When we try to transport, they can’t stand up, they can’t support their own weight. What we have to do is load them on their side or on their back and they can’t breathe.”

That, coupled with the time it takes for extra personnel to arrive to help lift the patient, could be a life-threatening situation, Hacker said.

The solution is costly, at nearly $14,000.

Hacker told the court that larger stretchers were available that allows for obese patients to fit more securely than on the current stretchers. That  stretcher, combined with a ‘stair chair’ would not only ensure more safety of transport, it would eliminate extra personnel currently assisting in loading the larger-size patients.

“We have to call the rescue squad or the fire departments to help us,” Hacker said, explaining that the new equipment would eliminate the extra personnel.

“There is a stair chair. It’s got tread like a bulldozer and you have a brake as you go down the stairs. Then there is a lifter that can lift up to 700 pounds.”

Hacker said that the power cot costs nearly $10,000 and the snap-on device for the ‘stair chair’ and lifting device is additional, for a total of $13,943.

Tom Baker made a motion to approve the expenditure, with other magistrates voting in favor.

The magistrates also approved the PRIDE grant awards which were presented by Laurel County PRIDE Coordinator, Jim Ed McDaniel. An application for the U. S. Forest Service PRIDE grant was also approved. That grant is usually $3,500, Laurel County Judge Executive Lawrence Kuhl said.

Making fire departments compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act prompted the Laurel County Fiscal Court to approve $900 to the East Bernstadt Volunteer Fire Department. The department is renovating to meet the standards of that act.

Magistrates also approved the contract for janitorial services at the new Laurel County Judicial Center to Crown Services for $12,500 a month.

Kuhl also addressed the court, showing the award presented to the Laurel County Fiscal Court by the London-Laurel County Chamber of Commerce at its annual banquet earlier this month. The Chamber recognized the fiscal court for its financial and moral support of its functions during the yearly recognition.

Kuhl also addressed the court regarding the 2010 Census, which is often the deciding factor in distribution of federal money to states and communities.

“We checked on the return of the Census forms and 70 percent have been  returned,” Kuhl said. “We need to get our numbers turned in. There is over $400 billion every year, so this is still very important to us. Census workers make $13.75 an hour and get 50 cents a mile. Anyone you know that’s not working can call 1-866-861-2010 to do the job.”

The Census jobs are part-time jobs until the end of the Census collection is completed. Jobs are still available.

The magistrates also voted on several appointments to boards and organizations falling under their realm. Those included appointing Ernest Rudder to Bush Fire Department with his term to expire May 27, 2013, and appointing Jim Keller to fill unexpired term of Carl Keller on Wood Creek Water District. Keller cannot fulfill his current term due to ill health. That term  expires May 1, 2011.

“He’s been on the committee since its origin and he said it was his dream to see his son on that board,” Kuhl said.

The magistrates also approved a deed transfer of property on the south side of the London Community Center from Laurel County, Kentucky to Laurel County, Kentucky Public Properties Inc. The property is the parking lot area and would not be affected other than changing the name of the owning entity.

Magistrates also approved $15,570 for computers for the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness program.  Tish Rudder told the court that 10 computers were needed to keep the facility up to standards and that the money was “100 percent reimbursable.”

“We are required by CSEP to upgrade every two years. We’re about a year behind,” Rudder said.

Staff Writer Nita Johnson can be reached at njohnson@sentinel-echo.com.