York Region 911 calls spike during extreme cold

Yorkregion.com
Jan. 8, 2015
By Chris Traber

When the temperature plummets, 911 calls spike, York Region Emergency Medical Services Chief Norm Barrette said.

Due to a combination of the season and sub-zero digits, EMS calls have almost doubled since the beginning of the week, he said. Typically, his department receives an average of 225 calls in a 24-hour period. With the cold snap, call volumes exceed 400 per day.

The additional calls are from residents who are “generally unwell,” suffering from flu-like symptoms, including cough, fever, chills and nausea.

With the frigid weather, some folks find it difficult to access the health care system, Barrette said, adding the ill surmise a paramedic- transported trip to a hospital ER will grant them preferential treatment on arrival.

That’s not necessarily true, the EMS lead said.

“You are not seen faster by ER staff if it’s a non-emergency situation,” he said. “Hospitals see patients in priority order.”

Barrette encourages anyone with a genuine medical emergency to dial 911. However, if you have a cold or flu, seek help through an urgent care or walk-in clinic or see your family physician.

Non-emergency 911 calls task the EMS and ER systems. You should also be aware that there is also a financial cost. Hospitals’ co-payment fees for patients transported to their ER via paramedics are $45. If the trip is deemed non-essential, the cost can be $240.

Still, during extreme weather, everyone should be vigilant.

Serious health problems can result from prolonged exposure to the cold, such as frostbite and hypothermia, Barrette said.

The homeless can be at particular risk, Wendy Sue Lyttle, interim executive director of Inn From the Cold, said.
Two homeless people have died in Toronto this week.

Inn from the Cold can accommodate 30 people. On an average night, it houses between 17 and 20 people.

While a couple of additional people have sought shelter during this week’s cold snap, the program still has space for more people, Lytle said.

Inn from the Cold will always work with other agencies to ensure the homeless aren’t left on the streets, she added.
Under its community investment strategy, York Region provides funding to Inn from the Cold and the Mosaic Interfaith Out of the Cold program.

During the coldest months of the year, both organizations provide emergency overnight shelter, clothing and food to adults.

The region also funds the York Region Outreach Van, operated by Loft/Crosslinks, which travels throughout the region providing sleeping bags, clothes and referrals to shelter programs.

In addition to high-risk groups such as the homeless, seniors, infants and people with certain medical conditions, everyone is advised to take extra precautions when it is bitterly cold.

If you suspect you have frostbite, get out of the cold immediately, warm up gently with warm, not hot, water and avoid rubbing the skin area. Don’t use heating pads because you may not be able to feel high heat that can cause further skin damage.

Hypothermia is the cooling of your core body temperature. The “umbles” is EMS lingo for someone who may be hypothermic. The patient may mumble, stumble and fumble.

If that’s the case, move to a warm area, remove wet clothing and take in no food or liquids.

Those most at risk during the deep freeze are children, the elderly and those without appropriate shelter.