EMS Best Practices for The Winter Season

Winter is the most challenging season for EMS personnel. An increased frequency of emergency calls paired with less than ideal weather and road conditions can increase the risk for both our first responders and our patients. By understanding these challenges, we can better prepare our EMS personnel for them.

Below, we have outlined common calls dispatch centers all across Missouri will receive throughout winter and the holiday season, as well as a variety of useful safety tips that could help keep you, your team and your patients safe this winter.

Winter and Holiday-Season EMS Calls: What First Responders Encounter Most

As temperatures dip and we head into the holiday season, we recommend that our paramedics and EMS drivers be proactive in their preparation for the recurring types of calls we receive around this time of year. Common call types EMS and paramedics receive across Missouri during the winter and holiday season include but are not limited to:

• Slip-and-fall injuries

• Frostbite

• Hypothermia

• Winter sports-related injuries

• Crowd-related injuries

• Alcohol-related emergencies

• Motor vehicle accidents

The winter months and the holiday season present a unique range of challenges and hazards that can increase the need for EMS services. First responders can stay prepared for these types of emergencies by reviewing their seasonal protocols and ensuring the ambulance is properly stocked for a variety of different emergency situations.  

EMS Holiday Season Safety Tips

At the Missouri Ambulance Association, we care just as much about the safety of our paramedics as we do our patients. That’s why we recommend this winter and holiday season that our paramedics and first responders follow these useful guidelines to ensure they and their patients stay safe.

• Identify alternate routes—as weather patterns change, it is important that our first responders know multiple routes to get back to the hospital should their usual route be blocked by an accident or impassable because of ice or snow. 

• Minimize personal and patient exposure to cold—be mindful of your and your patient’s exposure to cold temperatures and that you are transferring patients quickly from cold environments to warm. 

• Monitor your fatigue—low temperatures and heavy gear can exacerbate your exhaustion, so we ask that our paramedics stay mindful of their energy levels and take breaks indoors when possible. 

• Check your emergency kit—every ambulance must have an emergency tool kit that includes essential tools like:

  • Extra gloves

  • Extra boots

  • Blankets

  • A flashlight

  • Sand, salt or litter

  • Jumper cables

  • Snow shovel

• Drive with care—road conditions can be unpredictable as the weather shifts. We advise our drivers to be mindful of snow and ice on the roads and that braking and turning will be slower in less than ideal driving conditions. 

  
  

Wellness Strategies for Emergency Responders During The Holiday Season

As the need for reliable emergency medical services increases, we understand it can be a challenge for EMS personnel to take care of themselves and their patients. Now more than ever, it’s vital that our paramedics are taking care of their physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. We’ve provided a few helpful tips on how to take care of yourself while you’re busy taking care of others. 

• Utilize a buddy system—regularly check in with a member of your team about your physical and mental status. Your teammates are here to support you both on and off calls, and sharing the load with someone who understands can help to alleviate some of the mental and emotional strain.

• Maintain healthy routines when off the clock—taking a daily walk, getting a healthy amount of sleep and ensuring you’re eating right when you are off the clock can help you to regulate your stress levels, and avoid winter burnout.

• Give yourself a break from work—take part in hobbies and activities outside of work that bring you joy, so you can get a mental and physical break from work. 

Take Care of Yourself While Caring for Others

It can be a challenge for individuals working in public service positions, like our EMS personnel, to take time to care for themselves. The Missouri Ambulance Association encourages all of its EMS personnel to heed the guidance outlined above throughout this winter and holiday season. Your health and wellbeing matter to us just as much as our patients. 

For more information on helpful resources on how to maintain a healthy work-life balance or how to prioritize your mental health, we invite you to take advantage of our comprehensive resource center filled with helpful information on how to care for yourself during these cold winter months.

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