Medical Center EMS discusses winter weather preparation

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — With the winter season upon us, several things can be negatively affected. Medical Center EMS Director Seth Wilson says cold weather brings unique challenges.

“Cold brings on a whole different set of challenges — both for patients and for people out in the elements, as well as for emergency responses,” Wilson said.

Any time temperatures drop, studies show road conditions can worsen quickly, and precipitation on the pavement can increase the chance of fatal accidents by up to 34%.

Warren County Emergency Management Director Ronnie Pearson says the safest choice during winter weather is often to stay put.

“The best advice is, if you don’t have to travel, don’t,” Pearson said. “Stay home, stay warm. When travel conditions get treacherous, that means more accidents, more delays, more secondary accidents. So the best advice is just—if you don’t have to travel, stay home.”

While many people wait until the first snowflake to stock up on essentials, Pearson and EMS workers strongly recommend planning ahead.

“We’ve been doing this a long time, and the experience we have during these times has shown a pattern of effects that happen,” Pearson said. “We encourage people to listen to law enforcement and our services. Let us tell you what we’ve seen in the past so you can avoid being one of the calls we have to respond to.”

The effects of cold weather don’t just impact you and your family, they affect emergency crews as well.