LANCASTER, Pa. — Emergency vehicles are on standby in their garages, as first responders with Lancaster EMS prepare for another round of snow.
“I’ve already heard, ‘Hey, I’ve had enough of the snow. I’ve got to see it. I’m done. Let’s move on to spring,'" said Jerry Schramm, the director of operations for Lancaster EMS.
During the last round of snow on Tuesday, Lancaster EMS responded to several car crashes and home emergencies. Schramm said the snow adds an additional challenge for first responders trying to assist people in need.
“We have a lot of risks with travel. We have to get patients from point A to point B and get them to the hospital," said Schramm. "We also have to carry patients out of the home. So, when sidewalks aren’t shoveled, then the steps are slippery.”
Mechanics have worked throughout the fall to equip all 58 of Lancaster EMS's emergency vehicles with fresh tires for the winter. Each vehicle is also packed with shovels, road salt, and blankets.
Carli Bechtold, who works in non-emergency community care, said they will continue assisting patients, despite the weather.
“We probably have about 30 to 40 people on our schedule tomorrow, and I’m hoping we can keep most of those appointments," said Bechtold.
Bechtold added that Lancaster EMS has worked on contingency plans to ensure that all first responders can assist people during emergency and non-emergency calls.
“On the 911 side, we have to get there if there’s an emergency. And on the [community care] side of things, we want to get there," said Bechtold.
Central Pennsylvania is expecting to get between two and four inches of snow on Friday.