And don't forget your flashlight!

SALISBURY — The Salisbury Volunteer Ambulance Service (SVAS) is an all-volunteer organization whose members are on call 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week to respond to emergencies in the community.  

The number of calls SVAS went on in March was 35, which is about average. However the number of calls in a given day seems to be on the rise. There were six days when the duty crews went out two times and three days when they were dispatched three times. The unusually good weather in March may have contributed to fewer car accidents, as there was only one.

The squad received its first search-and-rescue call of the season, though it was uneventful. A hiker got lost looking for a lean-to on the Appalachian Trail. Jacquie Rice, SVAS chief of service, recounted what happened.

“It was rainy and very dark. He missed the Lion’s Head lean-to and called out for help. Another hiker heard and yelled back but he didn’t hear her. She called 911 thinking he was in trouble. She walked back down to the Undermountain Trail parking area to meet the rescuers. The ‘lost’ hiker must have been in front of her coming down the trail. We passed him as we were driving to the scene. We stopped and he said he was the hiker calling for help. Everyone reconvened at the trail head and both hikers spent the night at homes of squad members.�

Good weather, renowned hiking trails and the first search-and-rescue of the season means it is time to remind everyone — don’t hike without a flashlight.

The dispatches for the month included two standbys, one at the Spring Splash; 14 calls for a sick person; five calls in support of Lakeville Hose — fire and CO alarms, and one Hazmat (hazardous material); four difficulty breathing; three traumas; three psychiatric problems; one fall and one lift assist. Nine of the dispatches involved residents of Noble Horizons.

This monthly column by Lakeville Journal copy editor and ambulance squad volunteer Tara Kelly is an update on EMS activities.

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