WASHINGTON — Fire and EMS service is experiencing delays because of an extraordinarily high number of calls for help that have resources stretched thin.
The last two days have been so busy for DC Fire and EMS, engines have been coming and going all day long. Now it appears the department will have to bring in six additional units Wednesday to keep up with the influx of calls.
Throughout this holiday week, thousands of people have been caught off guard by un-seasonably warm temperatures. D.C. Fire has received so many emergency calls it’s been impossible to keep up.
A Southeast man with a non-life threatening gunshot wound in the arm was met by paramedics in three minutes, but it took nearly 30 minutes to get him transported to the hospital.
“I believe that call was in the four o’ clock hour and that was a really busy time and you add to that some congestion. It was quite a challenge for all of our units to get about in the middle of the day,” said DC Fire and EMS Spokesman Pete Piringer.
D.C. Fire authorities add that dehydration has been one of the biggest problems citywide.
Emergency personnel say the weather is just one factor. Several major events have brought more than a million people into the nation’s capitol.
Tourist RaeAnne Tolonen told shared, “We had an opening day baseball game, hockey game, easter egg roll at the White House, of course, the Cherry Blossom Festival at the White House.”
As for them, they are playing it cool, staying hydrated and wearing light clothing. They are eager to ensure their vacation is memorable thanks to D.C. sights, not it’s sounds.
Republished with permission from News 8