By Angela Hill

Paramedics avoid feeling washed out

Apr 27, 2011 | 6:38 AM

Paramedics have managed to avoid most of the rural roads that are being washed out this spring, but there have been a couple of delays.

“We’ve had a few delays this year, simply those delays have been because (either) the rural municipality isn’t aware the road has been closed or it’s one of those kind of iffy situations where it was good yesterday, but overnight the water levels have changed,” said Lyle Karasiuk, director of public affairs for Parkland Ambulance.

Usually the communities let the ambulance service know about road closures and impassable roads as soon as they happen.

There was an issue last weekend when a crew tried to access the Little Red River Reserve through Northside, they found the road impassable. Another route was taken, the rural municipality took steps to close the area soon after.

There is almost always another way in, Karasiuk said.

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Good planning on the communications side of the operations prevents it from being a problem where the crews are stuck, he said.

“Also many of the people that we deal with, that request help are always aware of what’s happening in their local area because they travel that way. They are always good at providing directions.”

If people know the main road to their residence is washed out, it helps if they can tell the dispatcher when they call for help, Karasiuk said.

Snow melting and wet spring is the most difficult time for paramedics and Parkland reminds their crews to be wary of low-lying areas, he said.

“If you see low-lying water on the road, don’t just think it’s a small puddle and do take the appropriate precautions to slow down. If it’s impassable then let’s find an alternate way to get to where we need to go.”

ahill@panow.com