Summit EMS Responses December 2023
Submitted by Jonn Staunton
Summit’s EMS volunteers finished the year with a busy December, responding to 226 emergency calls.
Responses included 144 medical emergencies; 16 falls; 18 motor vehicle accidents, including 5 on routes 24 or 78; 15 traumatic injuries; one allergic reaction; 12 cases of overdose or poisoning; five responses to a medical alarm; two pedestrians struck by a vehicle, and two responses to a fire scene. Squad Volunteers also provided six “lift assists” to patients who did not require transport to a hospital.
16 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 to neighboring towns 17 times. 11 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 December, Squad volunteers transported 161 patients to 4 different hospitals.
The Squad also provided 3 non-emergency ambulance transports for Summit residents, hosted 4 Emergency Management training sessions with the City of Summit, 2 presentations for Cub Scout groups, and a public CPR class.
The Squad answers calls for help 24 hours a day and at a variety of locations. December responses included 89 to a patient’s home or apartment; 23 for accidents or medical emergencies on streets or highways; four in a public park; two in a recreation facility; two in public buildings; 13 at a local business; five at a bar or restaurant, and 3 to a health care professional’s office. There were also 22 medical incidents at Summit’s train station; 19 at a local behavioral health facility; three on the grounds of Overlook Medical Center; 6 to an assisted living facility, five in a house of worship; 15 on a sidewalk or parking lot, four in a public building, two at Summit’s Public Library, three at a school, and three in a hotel.
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 sitesummitems.org.
