Medical Emergencies

A Medical Emergency is any that requires immediate response from an Ambulance Service. In Cayuga County most areas will also send a Fire Department Response. These may include but are not limited to:

  • Allergic Reactions
  • Heart Attacks
  • Illnesses
  • Injuries from falls
  • Seizures

Remain Calm & Stay on the Line

Remain calm, answer the questions that are asked and do not hang up until told to do so.

Additional Questions

As well as the questions that are asked for all emergencies, you may be asked the following questions depending on the situation:

  • How many patients?
  • How old is the patient?
  • Does the patient have a medical history that is pertinent to what is going on now?
  • How far did the patient fall (how many steps or from what height)?
  • Where is the patient? Are they inside, outside, in a field or where?
  • Is the patient breathing ok?

There may be other questions that arise due to the answers to any of the above questions.

Assistance to the Patient

Would you be able to provide assistance to the patient? If you are, your call will be transferred to an outside agency that provides pre-arrival assistance for us. This does not delay Emergency Response and can help the patient until Medical arrives on the scene.

Things to Remember

  • Quick response to a Medical Emergency can make a difference.
  • The best way to respond to a Medical Emergency is to have appropriate training beforehand. You can take CPR or First Aid classes through the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association or through some community groups.
  • If you come across a Medical Emergency, first make sure you do not place yourself in harms way before trying to give assistance.
  • If you find someone that has been injured, do not move him or her but try to cover him or her with a blanket, jacket or something that will keep him or her warm. Even in warm weather, shock can set in.
  • If the person is bleeding, try to find a clean cloth to put over the wound and apply direct, firm pressure until medical help arrives.