The Edmonds Fire Department was dispatched to 96 calls in and around Edmonds the week of Nov. 10-16, which brings this year’s call volume to 4,464. Medical crews evaluated 71 patients; fire crews responded to 25 incidents.
Medical Responses
A 63-year-old patient waited 30 minutes to call 9-1-1 with what she suspected were stroke symptoms.
A collaboration of several medical affiliates, including the American Stroke Association, created “Give Me 5,” a campaign to increase awareness of stroke symptoms. Give Me 5 is a quick stroke check: 1. WALK (is balance off?) 2. TALK (is speech slurred or face droopy?) 3. REACH (is one side weak or numb?) 4. SEE (is vision all or partly lost?) 5. FEEL (is headache severe?).
If you, or someone you’re with, experience any of the five stroke symptoms listed above, call 9-1-1.
For more information, including stroke risk factors and warning signs, call 1-888-4stroke or visit www.giveme5forstroke.org.
Fire Responses
Automatic fire alarms are activated many times by causes other than fire.
Even so, if an alarm goes off, SnoCom is alerted and dispatches a fire-response crew. For example, “false” alarms this week were the result of five mishaps: a malfunctioning alarm system, construction debris, installation of fiber optics, excess steam from a laundry room, and escaping steam from a warming-oven when the door was opened with no exhaust fan on.
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