Just as our first alert weather team has been getting you ready for the possibility of winter weather, our first responders are doing the same.
Gaston County Emergency Medical Services says the next 48 hours can get extremely busy, especially if icy conditions impact roads.
Even if the roads are clear from ice, first responders say getting to you inside your house can be a whole different situation. Ice doesn’t just happen on roads, it happens on your sidewalks, and on your driveways.
“We have to account for getting people on the stretcher to the ambulance safely," says Deputy Chief at GEMS, Jamie McConnell.
But winter weather doesn’t stop Gaston County Emergency Medical Services; they’re prepared.
Two of their new ambulances have four-wheel drive, which is extra useful for driving in winter conditions. The rest of their vehicles have snow chains.
This means in emergency situations, they can still get to you on the roads, ice or snow.