An AMR ambulance is seen in the background as Springfield residents walk on the street due to the paths yet to be cleared of snow after the snow on Monday. Jan. 26.
Republican photo by Douglas Hook
SPRINGFIELD — Winter Storm Fern ravaged much of the country over the course of four days, hitting Western Massachusetts as a nor’easter and dropping 18 to 20 inches of snow between Jan. 25 and 26.
As is the case with every major storm, American Medical Response, an ambulance service headquartered in Springfield, saw an influx of weather-related calls.
The most common calls during snowstorms are for slips and falls, usually from people walking on sidewalks or stairs that have yet to be cleared, said AMR Operations Manager Kim D’Angelo.
By the morning of Jan. 26, however, many of the calls AMR received were for vehicle crashes. “People have done a good job staying off the roads,” overnight, D’Angelo said, but “with the daylight come more vehicles.” Many crashes occur due to slippery conditions, but the severe cold accompanying the storm also means batteries can die, leading to stalled vehicles on roadways. She said the ability to work from home has kept the number of vehicle accident calls down.
D’Angelo cautioned people to take their time when shoveling, do small sections and take breaks. She said crews respond to heart attack calls due to the exertion of shoveling during every winter storm.
The AMR crews must also be cognizant of hazards while responding to calls. “We encourage them all to dress in layers,” D’Angelo said. “You never know what the conditions will be.” Ambulances are fully stocked before storms, including topping off antifreeze. She said, “We’ve gone through a lot of wiper blades overnight.”
Road conditions present challenges for crews. D’Angelo said that there may be increased response times, as crews are instructed to park the ambulance on a main road and walk into a neighborhood if the road is not plowed. Otherwise, the ambulance may become stuck on ice or slide into a snow drift. That said, D’Angelo praised the Springfield DPW for their efforts in clearing the roads. “I give big credit to the DPW. As of 1 a.m., 2 a.m., the main roads were fairly clear, and they were moving on to the side roads.”
D’Angelo asked that people clear walkways and stairs in case an ambulance crew needs to respond to their house. She said, “If your neighbors aren’t able to clear their walkways, if you can, that would be greatly appreciated.”
