January EMS Responses
Submitted by John Staunton
Summit’s EMS Volunteers began the New Year less than 2 hours after midnight with the first of their 161 emergency calls in January. These included 100 medical emergencies: 13 falls; 6 motor vehicle accidents, including 1 into a tree; 11 traumatic injuries; 1 pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle; 8 cases of overdose or poisoning; 1 allergic reaction and 6 responses to a medical alarm. Squad Volunteers also provided 6 “lift assists” to patients who did not require transport to a hospital.
For the 2nd month in a row, the Squad was summoned to assist with a missing person. In this case an elderly person wandered from their home and was found soon afterwards in a nearby parked car. The Squad transported the person to Overlook Medical Center for evaluation.
During January, 11 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. 6 emergency calls were to provide mutual aid assistance to neighboring towns. 15 patients transported to a hospital by Squad members also received advanced life support care from hospital-based paramedics who accompanied the Squad’s ambulance. There were also 3 non-emergency ambulance transports, a service the squad continues to provide to Summit residents.
The Squad answers calls for help 24 hours a day and at a variety of locations. Responses in January included 83 to patient’s homes or apartments; 21 for accidents or medical emergencies on roads or highways; 3 calls were to an assisted living facility; 2 in public buildings; 1 at a local business; and 1 to a health care professional’s office. There were also 9 medical incidents on sidewalks; 1 in a parking lot; 3 in public buildings; 1 at a church; 2 in a park; 10 at Summit’s Train Station; 8 at a local behavioral health facility; and 4 on the grounds of Overlook Medical 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 are provided. For information on becoming a volunteer, or donating to the squad please call 908-277-9479, or visit their website at summitems.org.
