Little hint... when a proby is seen lifting a cot with is back instead of is leg....we kick is ass out... period !!! Lots of medics like to compare there paycheck with firefither's or LEO's, do like they do, get fit !!!!!!!!
Take 50,000$ and build a gym at your station..... at my station, that money would cover only 5 trucks out of 35 with those stretcher.
The bottomline here, you dont get your back hurt with stretcher lifting, you get hurt when you free a 200 pounder from a rollovered car or somebody that is pined between is toilet and a wall, place's that your not able to work properly. These are situation's where you get hurt...sometime with micro trauma to your back. Hours later, or the next day, you may feel a little discomfort in the back...... next effort......bang there's the big stuff.
Again just get a little fit, every single medics that I know of, that are working out ..... they dont EVER GET BACK PAIN !!!!