New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
Statement from Acushnet Fire Chief Kevin Gallagher; May 1, 2017:
“The EMS Division of the Acushnet Fire & EMS Department set a record in the month of April by responding to 105 medical emergencies in a single month. The previous monthly record was 96 calls; we had never before reached 100. Of those 105 calls, 85 patients were transported to local hospitals, also a monthly record.
What is remarkable is the fact that in April 2015 we responded to 54 calls and transported 48 patients!
Last year, the department responded to 1,005 medical emergencies. That was the first year we ever reached 1,000 calls.
We need to step back and look at those figures. Our April 2017 medical emergencies increased by 93% over the same month two years earlier. Transports to local hospitals increased by 75% over that same period.
During April we transported one person due to an opioid overdose.
I cannot begin to explain the pride I feel for the men and women of our department. Each call was addressed in a professional, caring manner by compassionate, extraordinary people. The vehicles, equipment and supplies provided to us by the town are second to none. The range of emergencies to which we responded challenges us daily.
While a restaurant would love to see their business nearly double, we are reminded that each call represents someone in need. We are reminded that the 85 people transported were sick or injured in some unique way. Some were treated and released, some were admitted, and some did not survive.
In terms of emergency services, Acushnet is no longer a sleepy little town!”
