01/26/2026
‼️9-1-1 IS FOR EMERGENCIES ONLY‼️
🚑 A HARD TRUTH ABOUT CALLING EMS DURING THIS STORM
We need to be very clear about this…:
🚨 EMS IS FOR EMERGENCIES — ESPECIALLY DURING A MAJOR WINTER STORM.
During severe weather like this, ambulances may be:
• Delayed by road conditions
• Stuck behind crashes or stranded vehicles
• Responding with reduced staffing
• Covering multiple calls at once
• Putting crews at serious risk just to reach you
Now is not the time to call 9-1-1 or request an ambulance for things that have been going on for days, weeks, or months.
🚫 DO NOT CALL EMS FOR:
• Chronic back pain you’ve had for months
• Running out of routine medications
• Flu symptoms without severe distress
• Minor aches, pains, or fevers
• General weakness without acute change
• “I just don’t feel good” with no emergency symptoms
• Transport to the hospital because you don’t want to drive
These calls delay help for people who may not survive without immediate care.
⸻
✅ CALL EMS IMMEDIATELY FOR TRUE EMERGENCIES, INCLUDING:
• Trouble breathing or severe shortness of breath
• Chest pain, pressure, or tightness
• Signs of a stroke (face droop, arm weakness, speech problems)
• Uncontrollable bleeding
• Major trauma or serious crashes
• Severe allergic reactions
• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Amputations or severe limb injuries
• Serious burns
• Childbirth that cannot wait
• Any situation where life, limb, or eyesight is at risk
If it feels like “someone could die without help” — that’s EMS.
This is not about denying care.
It’s about using emergency resources appropriately during a critical event.
If you’ve been dealing with it for weeks and it’s not suddenly life-threatening, this storm is not the time to call EMS.
Help us help the people who truly need it.
⸻
🚒 HELP YOUR LOCAL FIRE & EMS CREWS
• Clear snow away from fire hydrants
• Keep driveways accessible & house numbers visible
• Do not block roadways
• Yield to plows and emergency vehicles
