Civilians aren't the only ones getting stuck in the snow and ice these days.
And, when an ambulance, fire truck or rescue squad loses its ability to move in the nation's capital, there's a crew ready to respond.
DC Fire & EMS’ Apparatus Division has 70 employees, snow plows and tow trucks, WUSA9 reported.
Crews that have been working around the clock since the snow fell also put chains on the fleet. And, within moments of getting a call about a stranded emergency vehicle, they are out the door.
"Don’t matter what the condition is, we make it work. If the road condition is bad, the plow will come by so we can get in if the ambulance gets stuck. We’re able to pull them out so they can assist people,” said Zackery Patton, a mobile equipment leader.
Fire Chief John Donnelly said the help is invaluable. "They’ve been on about 30 calls in the last two days alone where the plow goes out and helps us get to a unit that’s stuck and then helps us get that unit away."
About the Author
Susan Nicol
News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.