Ballston Spa, NY-- Senator Jim Tedisco today joined with his constituent, Dan Tuller, founder of DT Rescue Solutions, an inventor and former safety officer and volunteer firefighter from Milton, along with several emergency first responders, to unveil a new game-changing prototype snow rescue sled, the STELLA (Storm Emergency Linkable LifeSaving Apparatus) designed to help municipalities and state governments avoid future tragic loss of life from blizzards and snow and ice storms that have been known to plague New York State.

The STELLA snow rescue sled is a patented, towable enclosed vehicle that travels on skis, is insulated for warmth, heated, GPS monitored, ADA compliant, and can securely carry up to eight seat-belted passengers and multiple child safety seats.

“Winter is coming! And that means here in Upstate New York, the harsh weather and threat of severe snow and ice storms and dangerous, life-threatening blizzard conditions like what Erie County and Western New York experienced during Christmas 2022 is just around the corner.  The STELLA Snow Rescue Sled can help our emergency first responders better mitigate future loss of life and prevent a tragedy from occurring.  I’m proud that this innovative rescue apparatus was created and built right here in Saratoga County in the 44th Senate District and it’s an invention that can not only help save lives here in New York but in other areas that experience harsh winter weather,” said Senator Jim Tedisco.

The Christmas 2022 snowstorm saw 47 fatalities in the Buffalo area including people stranded outside, while others died from hypothermia in their homes, and some lost their lives due to delayed EMS response. Hundreds of motorists were stranded on roadways during the storm.

During that blizzard over 420 EMS calls had gone unanswered because emergency vehicles were unable to travel through the deep snow. During the height of the blizzard, two-thirds of emergency vehicles sent out to rescue people had ended up needing to be rescued themselves.

 KEY FEATURES OF THE STELLA:

• Towable by snowcat;
• Units can be linked together;
• Patent-pending suspension designed for maneuvering in extreme snowfall conditions;
• Hot swappable skis/wheels for quick deployment;
• Full utility package: Safety Lights, Heat, Power, GPS, Fire Extinguisher, First Aid Kit; and
• ADA Compliant.

THE STELLA HAS A CUSTOMIZABLE CABIN:

• Seating for 8+.
• Stretcher.
• Wheelchair.
• Infant car seat.

The prototype STELLA was built in Saratoga County by Tuller and his team.

“During the winter of 2022, a powerful Christmas Eve storm system battered the northern tier of the United States, closing streets and highways, including those of the NYS Thruway. In some communities, the weather resulted in 81 inches of impassable snow, creating hazardous terrain and unpredictable conditions. When motorists became stranded, the efforts of first responders were bound by the limitations of available essential equipment. In Western NY, 47 citizens lost their lives and became victims of that circumstance. Contributing to the conditions were evolving weather and emergency response infrastructure; however, most notable was the absence of rescue equipment capable of retrieving the stranded individuals.  I developed the STELLA Snow Rescue Sled to ensure that our first responders have the best opportunity possible to save lives when life-threatening winter weather events occur.  I hope the state can review this new invention and incorporate it into a holistic plan to prevent future tragedies from occurring,” said Dan Tuller, Founder of DT Solutions and the inventor of the STELLA.