EMS crews prepare for hurricane season

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — First responders need to always be prepared to meet any weather-related challenges and Tropical Storm Alberto was a good test to make sure their preparations are paying off.

Medical first responders said they are constantly meeting with state and local authorities to ensure they have all the latest information.

The City of Harlingen recently held an event to make sure everyone was prepared for hurricane season.

“We just kind of went over, making sure plans were in place. We talked to the heads of state and county officials. Just making sure everyone’s plans were there," said Rene Perez, Transport Director for South Texas Emergency Care Foundation.

Perez said the recent storm gave his crews a chance to learn some important lessons for any upcoming events that might impact the Valley.

“Looking at the resources that you have. Did the generators, were they full of fuel, that kind of stuff," Perez said. "Making sure those preparations for an event were there. And I think the checklist is really important from the standpoint of, these are the things I really need to have.”

EMS crews and other emergency personnel across the state are part of the Emergency Medical Task Force where each region of Texas can send crews to other parts of the state in case if needed.

For Tropical Storm Alberto, an ambulance crew was brought down to the area as a precaution.

“We had additional ambulances that were here, that were just in the event any of the agencies needed help evacuating, or whatever they needed, ambulances.. they were available to us," Perez said.

As important as it is for first responders to be prepared, Perez said the public needed to follow suit. Having a plan to evacuate if necessary and having any essential medications could help prevent further medical emergencies.

“A lot of people forget medications," Perez said. "And so they get to wherever they’re going, and they’re like, I don’t have my blood pressure medication, and my blood pressure’s now high. And so now, they have another situation going on.”

He went on to remind the community that during a serious emergency like a hurricane, there could be times when emergency personnel will not be able to respond to calls.

If it is determined the safety of responders could be compromised, Perez said they may have to wait until the storm has passed.