EMSA Ready For Bad Weather

This latest winter storm has first responders working overtime. EMSA has hotel rooms, cots, and military rations for paramedics who can't make it home. <br/><br/>News on 6 anchor Terry Hood says

Friday, January 12th 2007, 9:52 am

By: News On 6

This latest winter storm has first responders working overtime. EMSA has hotel rooms, cots, and military rations for paramedics who can't make it home.

News on 6 anchor Terry Hood says what EMSA officials are really worried about is making it to your house. Paramedics showed us some of their surprising emergency measures.

"The scariest part of this job this weekend is probably going to be getting to the call," Chris Stevens with EMSA said.

Chris Stevens is usually behind a desk at EMSA, recruiting new EMT's. This weekend, he was the one recruited to put his paramedic skills to work in this icy mess.

"I've had folks from up north tell me they'd rather have two feet of snow, than a half an inch of ice," said Stevens.

That's why Stevens is letting his partner, a transplant from Minnesota, do the driving. Even with experienced hands at the wheel, Stevens says slick streets will slow down response times.

"Everyone will get an ambulance, everyone will get a paramedic, but it will take a little longer," Stevens said.

EMSA has a ton of ice melt on hand, and garden mulch will help with traction when the ice melt runs out. Cleets help with footing and paramedics are stocking shovels in case things get too deep. EMSA also has support crews out on the streets in case the rescuers need to be rescued themselves.

"Four-wheel drive vehicles with winches. You name it, we're thinking about it,â€ said Stevens.

The one thing the ambulances don't have is tire chains. They can't use them on the highways, but not having them makes driving in neighborhoods difficult. In our last winter storm, EMSA couldn't get up a neighborhood street, and patients had to be ferried out by fire crews.

Some roads may still be too slick, but paramedics hope they're set up for success.

"We're trying to do the right thing and keep everybody safe," Stevens said.

EMSA expects to be busy with falls, fender benders and people who need hospital care but are afraid to get out on the ice. Even though response times may be slower, EMSA is staffing extra medics to coach people over the phone while they wait for help.