Snow pressures dealt with well

West Midlands Ambulance Service has revealed that a large reduction in 999 calls would suggest that the public largely heeded warnings about the snow today.

The number of 999 emergency calls it received during the day of Thursday 5th February was down by over 15% compared to Monday when the region also suffered from significant snow falls.

For the period 7.00am to 7.00pm, WMAS received just over 1,300 calls compared to 1541 on Monday; this equates to a drop of 15.6%.

The snow started in the early hours and continued for much of the morning. The service saw a busy period for ambulance crews from around 7.00am until 10.30am but it then quietened down considerably.

Once again there were a considerable number of patients who had suffered falls; there were also a number of road traffic collisions, though thankfully most were not too serious. Overall though, people largely heeded the warnings being given by several agencies including the ambulance service to take care.

The Trust put in extensive plans to ensure that it coped with the expected wintry conditions. This included making full use of its fleet of 4×4 vehicles. This was supplemented by a number of 4×4 vehicles from the voluntary aid societies such as St. John and Red Cross, Severn Area Rescue Association, a number of Land Rover and 4×4 clubs and Community First Responders who had 4×4 vehicles. Once again Land Rover showed their generosity to the Trust by providing 12 4×4 vehicles.

Although some of these vehicles were used for responding to 999 calls, others were employed assisting staff to get into and out from work. Indeed, this resources was also used by a number of partner health agencies.

Chief Operating Officer, Rob Ashford, said: “This assistance is hugely helpful and we are very grateful to everyone who helped.

“The combined efforts of everyone has ensured that we have coped really well and provided a first rate service to the people of the Region.

“Although much of the snow has melted the freezing temperatures overnight means that it is vital that people do not let their guard down. Driving may well still be difficult first thing in the morning.

“Over the last few days we have issued a number of warnings asking people to have fun in the snow, such as sledging, but to take care.