From Sunday January 8, 2023 through Saturday January 14, 2023, the Yuma Fire Department responded to
326 emergency calls for service:
13 General Fire Responses
Including: 1 for a park model trailer on fire, 1 for a gas line broken by construction crew, 1 for a tree on fire, 1 for a propane leak, and various alarms
1 Mutual Aid
Including: 1 for assisting Rural Metro with a medical emergency in the County
24 Motor Vehicle Crashes
Including: 1 involving a motorcycle, 2 involving rollovers, and 1 involving a pedestrian
272 Other Medical Emergencies (both serious and minor)
Including: 37 for difficulty breathing, 18 for chest pain/cardiac issues, 33 for fall related injuries, 13 for unconscious people, 13 seizure cases, 3 possible stroke cases, 1 for an intoxicated person, 2 for people under the influence of drugs, 1 drug overdose, 10 for psychiatric problems (4 threatening or attempting suicide), 7 for medical alarms, 1 for an infant locked in a vehicle, 1 for allergic reactions, 1 for choking, 13 for altered or decreased level of consciousness, 3 for fevers, 1 for broken bones, 3 for diabetic emergencies, 6 for man down calls, 2 for uncontrolled bleeding, 5 for bad headaches, 2 for assaults, 5 for back pain, 12 for abdominal pain, 7 for a deceased person, 2 for alcohol withdrawals, 1 for lacerations, 14 welfare checks, 1 for a person injured when they broke a window with their hand, 1 for a teenager who drank dishwasher soap, 1 for a person who had bleach splashed in their eyes, 1 for a person who cut their fingers with a circular saw, 1 for a child bitten by a tick (still attached), and other illnesses and injuries (Note: None of the week’s total responses were to the USBP holding facility)
16 Special Duty, Public Assistance, and Residential Assignments
Including: 1 to assist with a disabled vehicle, 1 for a small brush fire, 1 for a trash fire in an alley, 1 for a smoking a/c unit, 1 for a dumpster fire, 1 for power lines down, 1 for a small fire in the loading dock area of a commercial building, 1 for a strong natural gas smell at 32nd St and Ave 3E, and various alarms
Last week the category with the highest number of responses (37) was difficulty breathing, we also get calls about headaches, fevers, and people just feeling “sick”. There are certainly a lot of underlying health issues that cause or contribute to these calls for service but there is no denying we are in the cold and flu season.
Every year here in the United States the Flu season arrives and gets worse with winter. Are these viruses only around in winter? No, of course not, but with winter and the holidays people spend more time indoors and there are more parties and other social gatherings. More people getting together in close proximity to each other indoors. Adding to the problem are people not wanting to miss out and attending these social gatherings when they should just stay home, get well, and reduce the chances of spreading colds, flu and other viruses to friends, family, and co-workers.
Every season health care professionals issue the same warnings and advice. Wash your hands frequently, use hand sanitizer, keep hands clear of eyes, nose, and mouth (particularly hard for young children, of course). If you are already sick, stay home and get better, don’t spread illness to work or school. Your co-workers and your kid’s classmates will appreciate it. Just like you appreciate it when you are not sick, sick folks need to stay home and get well. Yuma’s great weather is too nice to be sick in, take the proper precautions and have a safe and healthy winter season!
For more information about fire and injury prevention classes we offer, contact the Yuma Fire Department Public Information Office at 373-4855, you can also “Follow” us at www.twitter.com/YumaFireDept or on Instagram @YumaFireDepartment
