LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — Parts of Arkansas predicted to receive several inches of snow and emergency crews are preparing to brave the elements Thursday night into Friday morning to answer 911 calls.
Metropolitan Emergency Medical Service crews are preparing for that inclement weather and making sure supplies are stocked.
“Our ambulances. Make sure our ambulances have good tires, like snow tires and things like deicer, ice scrapers,” said Chris Marshall, MEMS Operation Director. “Anytime type of outerwear that they need. We have yax tracks that help, we put those over our boots.”
Marshall said during this period, the calls they see a big increase in are falls and wrecks.
“You see slips and falls from people getting out,” said Marshall. “You do see an increase in motor vehicle accidents with people traveling on the road ways, especially if they are trying to get home before the impact really hits.”
With this weather, Marshall said it may take a little longer to get to you.
“The first thing that we want to do is arrive safely so that way we can render aid so we want to be able to transport you safely to the hospital that you want to go to so we slow things down a bit,” said Marshall.
So if you have to get out, he said give yourself plenty of time and proceed with caution but if you don’t, they suggest to stay at home.
“If we get the amount of accumulation that they are calling for and you don’t have to get out, please stay at home,” said Marshall. “Stay off the roads so that way you don’t have an accident or if you need any type of assistance from first responders and just stay at home if you can.”
Marshall said if you do have a medical emergency and need to be transported to the hospital, call 911 and they will get to you as fast as they possibly can.
