In a meaningful step toward community welfare and innovative healthcare solutions, VOCIC is proud to announce a new collaboration with the Onslow County Community Paramedic (CP) Program in North Carolina. This partnership represents a shared commitment to improving the lives of residents—especially the elderly and those prone to falls—through the implementation of assistive technology.

A Shared Vision for Public Service

Onslow County, home to over 185,000 people and the U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, is actively investing in the expansion of its CP Program. The initiative aims to improve emergency response efficiency, reduce unnecessary ambulance dispatches, and better serve non-transport fall victims in the community.

Falls have become one of the biggest safety risks facing older adults—not only can they lead to physical injury, but they often bring fear and a deep sense of isolation. The creation of the Community Paramedic Program is a compassionate response to this growing public health concern. 

The collaboration began when James Whaley, a Community Paramedic, reached out to VOCIC in search of a safer, more cost-effective solution to help uninjured fall victims.

“We’re trying to figure out a way to help our uninjured fall victims—like those who just slip out of bed. I was thinking we could carry one of these floor lift for the elderly in each of our vehicles and avoid sending an ambulance every time. It would make a big difference,” Whaley shared.

From Concept to Collaboration

After discussions and evaluation, VOCIC provided a demo unit of the AX05 Electric Floor Lift Chair—a device designed to help caregivers or paramedics lift individuals safely from the floor without strain or injury.

The response was immediate and enthusiastic.

“I really like it. We’ve been training our crews and getting good feedback. The county managers are excited too,” Whaley noted. “We’re even thinking of offering these to patients who fall frequently but have caregivers at home. We could teach them to use it and sign a floor lift chair out—it opens up a lot of possibilities.”

AX05 Floor Lift for Elderly: A Lifesaver in Fall Recovery

The AX05 lift chair for the elderly    is engineered for safe and dignified lifting from the floor, whether at home or in the field. Lightweight yet sturdy, the lift chair can be operated by a single responder or caregiver, reducing physical burden and eliminating the need for a full ambulance team in non-critical situations. With its compact design, it fits easily in paramedic vehicles and can be quickly deployed on-site.

Whaley added,

“If this AX05 floor lift chair continues to perform well, I think I can make the case for getting one in each of our CP vehicles. With the number of daily non-transport fall calls we get, the AX05 floor lift chairs would essentially pay for themselves.”

A Partnership with Purpose

As the Onslow County CP Program moves toward expanding its team and response capabilities, VOCIC is honored to support this mission with a practical solution that saves time, resources, and—most importantly—improves patient care.

For VOCIC, this collaboration is a meaningful opportunity to contribute to a safer, more responsive healthcare environment.

“We see this as a blueprint for how innovative assistive technology can empower public services and directly benefit communities. This partnership with Onslow County shows what’s possible when purpose meets innovation,” said a spokesperson from VOCIC.

About VOCIC

VOCIC designs affordable, user-friendly mobility aids for home and institutional use, prioritizing dignity and independence.