Snow and Tree Limbs Can't Stop EMS Volunteers (appeared in the Summit Observer, February 15, 2001)

The heavy snowfall and barrage of falling trees and wires took many by surprise on Monday. Businesses closed early, streets were blocked by downed trees and wires, others were barely passable due to the snow, and traffic came to a halt on several major roads. But the members of the Summit Volunteer First Aid Squad were prepared for the challenge, answering all of the 13 calls for help that they received.

Although most of the calls were not directly related to the storm, all were complicated by the conditions it created. As conditions worsened, Squad Captain Beverly Brown, who had left work early herself, summoned additional members to the building to staff all 3 ambulances. A woman on Waldron Ave. was struck by a falling branch at about 5:00 P.M. The squad responded immediately, moved her into the ambulance and treated her injuries. A few minutes later, when attempting to transport to the hospital, the crew discovered that the ambulance had become stuck in the deep snow. 2 squad members and 2 police officers attempted to push the ambulance from the snow, but to no avail. A 2^nd squad ambulance responded and took the patient to Overlook. Meanwhile, squad member Paul Vickery arrived with his 4-wheel drive snow plow and freed the 1^st ambulance. Luckily, the woman's injuries were not serious. Two days later she visited the squad building with a cake for the crew that helped her. All 3 of the squad's ambulance are equipped with automatic snow chains. However, in very deep snow, even these are not always effective.

At about 6:30 P.M. the squad responded to a report of a medical emergency in a limousine on Route 78. Conditions on both Glenside Ave. and Route 78 were severe. The crew made it onto the highway and then became stuck in traffic near the Diamond Hill Rd. exit. Although the ambulance was able to move, most of the cars in front of and behind it were not. A 2^nd ambulance responded to handle that call and found it on Glenside Ave. in Berkeley Heights. The crew quickly removed the man from the stretch limo through the deep snow and into the ambulance and then began the trip back up Glenside Ave. to Overlook. However, a large tree had fallen, completely blocking the road and forced the ambulance to stop. A number of bystanders offered assistance to the squad members and County Police officers in moving the tree, but is was too large. A County public works crew with chainsaws was summoned, but with an unknown response time. So, Crew Chief John Staunton requested Summit's 3^rd ambulance to respond to the other side of the tree. Just as the 2 crews were preparing to pass the patient across the tree, a large state DOT snowplow arrived and was able to push the tree aside.

Squad volunteers kept all 3 ambulances staffed until about 11:00 P.M. and had 2 crews on duty through the remainder of the night. They covered 2 simultaneous calls at around 8:00 P.M. At 11:00 P.M. the duty crew answered a call for a medical emergency in a home on Kent Place Blvd. The patient was unable to move and deep snow covered the entire property. A 2^nd ambulance crew responded for lifting assistance bringing with them a special basket stretcher, which acted as a sled, allowing the members to move the patient across the snow. "It's a piece of equipment we don't use very often", commented Squad President John Staunton. "But, we're certainly glad to have it for situations like this one".

"Our members encountered several unusual situations that night. And, thanks to their training and determination, handled them all well", said Mrs. Brown. "Some consider squad volunteers as super heroes. But the fact is, we are just ordinary people who are occasionally called upon to deal with the extraordinary", said Mr. Staunton.

The First Aid Squad is always looking for new volunteers and provides all needed training. Click here for more information.