Photo by John Staunton
Summit EMS Responses – August 2024
Submitted by John Staunton
Summit’s EMS responded to 172 emergency calls during the month of August.
Calls for the month included 94 medical emergencies; 17 falls; 18 motor vehicle accidents; 16 traumatic injuries; three allergic reactions; seven cases of overdose or poisoning; one burn injury; four responses to a medical alarm; one pedestrian struck by a vehicle; and one response to a fire scene. Squad Volunteers also provided a “lift assist” to a patient who did not require transport to a hospital as well as 2 non-emergency transports of Summit residents.
Nine emergency calls were answered by an off-duty “back-up crew” of volunteers responding from home or work when the on-duty crew was busy. Summit volunteers also provided mutual aid assistance 13 times to three neighboring towns. Ten patients transported to a hospital by Squad members also received advanced life support care from hospital-based paramedics who accompanied the Squad’s ambulance. During August, Squad volunteers transported 125 patients to four different hospitals.
On August 18, the Squad was dispatched to a head-on collision on Glenside Ave with 4 injuries. Five Summit members responded and transported 2 patients to Overlook Medical Center. A crew for the Millburn-Short Hills Volunteer First Aid Squad and another from the Scotch Plains Rescue Squad each transported 1. Luckily one of the cars had slowed to almost a stop before the collision.
The Squad also hosted two CPR classes at their building and provided EMS coverage at the National Night Out event on the Village Green.
The Squad answers calls for help 24 hours a day and at a variety of locations. August responses included 57 to a patient’s home or apartment; 30 for accidents or medical emergencies on streets or highways, including two on route 24 or 78; five in a public park; four at Summit’s City Hall; three at Summit’s Public Library, and seven at other public buildings; ten at a local business; four at a bar or restaurant, and five at a health care professional’s office. There were also 14 medical incidents at Summit’s train station; three at a bus stop; 11 at a local behavioral health facility; two on the grounds of Overlook Medical Center; six to an assisted living facility, three at an athletic facility, two at a house of worship; eight on a sidewalk; three in a parking lot; one at a school and on at a day care center.
The all-volunteer First Aid Squad, responds to emergency calls 24/7, is entirely funded through private donations and does not bill for service. The Squad is always looking for new volunteers to join its ranks. All needed training, uniforms and equipment is provided. For information on becoming a volunteer, or donating to the squad please call 908-277-9479, or visit their web site at:summitems.org.
