October 28th is National First Responders Day

October 28th is National First Responders Day. First responders are the men and women who are the first on the scene in emergency situations, including car accidents and other personal injuries.

As Birmingham personal injury lawyers, we help victims of others’ negligence seek the compensation they deserve. We want to acknowledge the vital role of first responders in helping victims of accidents and other emergencies and in preventing further injuries.

First Responder Facts

Here are some statistics from nationaltoday.com highlighting the work of first responders.

• One hundred firefighters die in the line of duty each year.
• An estimated 240 million 9-1-1 calls are made in the U.S. per year.
• A fire department responds to a fire every 24 seconds.
• Emergency Medical Services takes care of 22 million patients a year.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

EMS or emergency medical services are the professionals who respond to 911 calls and treat and transport people in health emergencies. They help patients in a variety of life-threatening situations, from car accidents to drownings, to cardiac arrest and stroke, to shootings.

EMS staff include both emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics. In a car crash or other accident, EMS will evaluate and monitor survivors to ensure that the most seriously injured people receive urgent treatment.

EMS personnel are trained to evaluate the severity of an injury, determine the person’s treatment needs, and stabilize patients for transport. They provide pre-hospital emergency care for patients and care for those being transported by ambulance.

EMS personnel are also responsible for managing the safety and medical treatment of others at a crash scene, which can include law enforcement, bystanders, and media.

Firefighters

If you suffer a burn in a fire at your home, workplace, or somewhere else, firefighters will most likely be the first responders. The Birmingham Fire Department works to prevent fires by inspecting properties and ensuring fire codes are followed.

The department also has specially trained fire investigators who provide a thorough and accurate investigation into the origin, cause, and responsibility of all fire and explosion incidents.

In addition to responding to fires at homes and businesses, firefighters help rescue victims of car accidents. They are trained to use special tools to free people who are trapped in their vehicles. These tools are sometimes called “Jaws-of-Life.”

Firefights aid in managing the scene of a crash and providing medical care. Most firefighters are qualified as EMTs and many are paramedics.

Firefights deal with many hazards created by a car accident including:

• Car Fires
• Exposed electrical wires or arcing of wires
• Damage to buildings or other structures
• Gas leaks, particularly from tanks being carried by the vehicles
• Gasoline leaks from the tanks of the vehicles involved in the crash
• Other situations involving hazardous materials.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, in 2014 local fire departments in the U.S. responded to an estimated 4,461,000 incidents on roadway properties, including parking lots and driveways.

Two-thirds (67%) of fire department roadway incidents were emergency medical services (EMS) calls or rescues.

Police

Police respond to and investigate traffic accidents as well as crimes. If you’re involved in an auto accident, you need to call the police.

Police will manage traffic to prevent further injuries and review the scene. They will also prepare a police report. The police report contains crucial information that is important for building your case.

Some of this information includes:

• Name, license, and insurance information for both drivers
• Name and contact information for witnesses
• Statements made by both drivers
• Witness statements
• Pictures of the scene, road conditions, and the vehicles
• Whether either driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident
• Information regarding any citations issued as a result of the accident

How to Observe National First Responders Day

Nationaltoday.com offers three suggestions for observing National First Responders Day.

Say Thanks

Sincere gratitude is always appreciated. You might choose to write personalized thank you cards with your families or give local firefighters and police baked cookies or other treats.

Raise Money

Research how to help finance equipment and resources for first responders.

Volunteer

Look for ways to help where you can, such as by taking a CPR course.

About Hare Wynn

For more than 130 years, Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton has been helping individuals and families fight for their rights after someone else’s negligence caused harm and losses. We have recovered over two billion dollars on behalf of our clients.

Contact us at 800-568-5330 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.