(Cleveland)- Thursday afternoon got off to a busy start for White County Fire and Emergency Medical Services. Public Safety Director David Murphy said just after the lunch hour, the 911 Operations Center started receiving calls for several incidents around the county. At one point an ” all Call” was made for all available personnel to handle the call demand.
First, at 12:28 PM emergency personnel were dispatched to 481 Running Deer Road, off Paradise Valley Road for two people who had received burn injuries. According to Murphy one victim, who made the 9-1-1 call advised an explosion occurred while using an accelerant in a barrel.
Both victims received burns on their legs and arms. Due to the nature of the injuries, one patient was flown by air ambulance to Grady Burn Center in Atlanta and the other transported by ground ambulance to the same location.
At 12:46 PM, Helen Fire, County Fire Station 7, and White County EMS were called to the trailhead at Anna Ruby Falls where a female patient was experiencing chest pains and difficulty breathing. The patient was on the trail and had to be escorted out to an awaiting ambulance for evaluation, the patient refused transport to the hospital.
Next at 1:03 PM, 911 operators begin to receive calls of a two-vehicle accident in the area of Asa Dorsey Road, and Hwy 254. One vehicle was reportedly down an embankment with two persons still in the vehicle and unable to get out.
Due to all available ambulances handling on other calls, officials requested two mutual aid ambulances from Hall County Fire along with manpower. White County Station 4, and Captain 1 responded to the incident as well. According to Murphy extrication equipment had to be used to free the victims from the vehicle, and both were transported with non-life-threatening injuries to Northeast GA Medical Center in Gainesville.
The occupant of the second vehicle refused treatment. The Accident is under investigation by White County Sheriff’s Office.
At 1:25 PM, a single-car auto accident was reported on Hwy 356 at Fire Station 7, in the northern part of the county. A male patient was reported trapped in a vehicle.
Upon the arrival of fire personnel, it was determined the accident involved a fatality. Georgia State Patrol is investigating the incident, and further details will be provided by GSP.
White County Station 7, Helen Fire, White Co EMS, and Habersham Fire along with White Co Sheriff’s Office responded to the incident.
Murphy said within the same time frame, multiple medical calls were received along with law enforcement incidents. Mutual aid was utilized from both Hall and Habersham Counties.
“All agencies and team members worked well together and incidents were handled as quickly as possible, our agencies are prepared for days like today, by prioritizing calls and using our mutual aid agreements with our regional partners, ” said Murphy.
