EMSA Officials Warn Of Ice-Related Dangers

By Jeffrey Smith, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- EMSA crews are dealing with a rash of injury falls due to the icy conditions on Tulsa residential streets and sidewalks.

Paramedics say walking down your own driveway in these conditions can be more dangerous than sitting behind the wheel. 

City streets and highways are pretty much cleared up, but ice is still a major problem in neighborhoods.

On Sunday, EMSA responded to more than 100 calls. Many of them were people slipping and falling near their own homes. 

Morning services weren't canceled at the First Church of God in North Tulsa on Sunday.

Lisa Simmons was there extra early - not with a Bible in her hand, but a big bag of salt. 

"It is very dangerous; just walking to your car its dangerous," said church member Lisa Simmons.

Worshippers at other North Tulsa churches did their best to take it nice and slow, but slips were common. 

Many homeowners who didn't go to church didn't take the day off. They were trying to break up thick patches of ice.

"There's a real slick sheet of ice underneath the snow," said Tulsa resident Jerry Bunch. "So once you get snow off, there's still ice down there." 

"I wear these, since we've gotten ice and stuff, to try and get traction pulling the cot up through the snow and stuff," said Ryan Zumwalt, and emergency medical technician with EMSA.

Many EMTs have invested in a pair of snow cleats. They say it's the only way they can get traction.

Since the snow stopped falling on Christmas, paramedics have responded to more than 200 weather-related calls. Dozens of those calls were for slips and falls.

"People are getting stir crazy; they want to get out, but those first few steps might be your most dangerous," said Tina Wells, EMSA spokesperson

"Don't think it's going to be ok just going to the end of your driveway. You need to have your guard up."

 Just minutes after The News On 6 interviewed Wells, paramedics rushed to this midtown home where an elderly woman fell and injured her shoulder. Neighbors say she was walking to the end of her driveway to get the paper.

Jerry Bunch rushed over to help.

"Going over I almost fell; coming back I almost fell. My wife going over almost fell. You gotta be careful.  It's very nasty."

While an increasing number of city streets are clear, residential streets and sidewalks are covered in ice.

Paramedics say walking from your front door to your car will very likely be the most dangerous part of your morning commute.

City crews have spread about $5,000 tons of salt, but they are not plowing residential streets.