Just because snow falls, it does not mean first responders and healthcare workers get to stop doing their jobs. Despite the hazardous weather, Warren County EMS said calls have been average this week.
Snow began falling Sunday evening and continued throughout the day on Monday. Below-freezing temperatures have caused the snow and ice to stick around, creating hazardous driving conditions.
With icy roads and walkways, accidents tend to happen; however, EMS director Preston Denney said he has not noticed a significant increase in medical calls.
“Call volume has been fairly normal,” said Denney.
Some jobs have the luxury of calling out or closing for the day, but healthcare workers have people relying on them. EMS workers not only have to travel to work in the snow, they also have to work in it sometimes and travel in hazardous conditions to get to their patients. The weather can sometimes delay response times to patients, but EMS workers will do their best to get to the patient in need.
“We work 365 days a year. Some days are easier than others but that is what we have chosen to do,” said Denney. “During bad weather we will still be there but response times are slower and we may not be able to get the stretcher to the patient, but we will do what we must and we will still get the job done.”
Some healthcare clinics have taken steps to ensure patients and staff remain safe during the inclement weather. Fresenius Kidney Care located on Sparta Street planned around the snow and had patients come in on the weekend.
“Our goal was to make sure that our patients received the lifesaving treatments they needed during the winter weather. We worked with the patients, transportation and providers to assure the patients and staff could get to the clinic safely,” said clinic manager London Webb, RN.
Due to the high threat of snow on Monday, Fresenius had patients come in on Sunday to receive their dialysis treatments. Webb praised her staff and everyone involved for handling the situation so well.
“We ran treatments on Sunday for patients that were scheduled on Monday so they could stay home and out of the storm. The PCTs and nurses worked hard to make sure every patient was called and did a fabulous job supporting everyone during the snow,” said Webb.
