By SORS Volunteer Margot Lester
Folks have a lot of questions about how emergency medical response works, so we decided to try to answer them!
When should I call 911?
Call us when you need help. Definitely for situations like chest pain, difficulty breathing, serious bleeding and other severe injuries. It’s also best to call if you’re not sure you can safely help the person without causing more injury.
Why does the dispatcher ask so many questions?
Dispatchers are the MVPs of emergency response because they help us get to you fast. As soon as they have your name, address and nature of the problem, they send us! They stay on the line asking you questions while we’re en route to gather more information that helps us be ready when we get there and keeps you calm or helps you manage the situation until we arrive.
How do you get in if my doors are locked?
We try really hard not to damage your property, but if we need to break a window or pry a door to reach you, we do. If you’re inside and can’t get to the door, let the dispatcher know if you have a hidden key or if we can call a nearby neighbor or family member who has one. Email Darren Strickland to learn about Orange County’s Premise Alert program.
Do you mind if you show up and it’s not as bad as I thought?
No! If you don’t need to be taken to the Emergency Department, that’s OK with us! Our job is to make sure you’re OK. While you may not need to call 9-1-1 for minor scrapes and such, we definitely want you to call if you think you need help.
What can I do to make it easier for EMS when responding to my house?
Learn CPR and first aid, including how to administer naloxone. Knowing these skills empowers you to take some important steps that can help the other person until we get there. SORS offers free community classes every month, and you can schedule one for your family, neighborhood, workplace or nonprofit. See the class schedule. Make your house number easy to see on both sides of your mailbox and your dwelling! Two to three inches tall is best for us. And turn on the outside lights if you can. Keep an updated list of medications, allergies and medical conditions for everyone in the household that’s easy to access. Some folks like the File of Life (available from various online retailers) magnets that stick right on the refrigerator or other metal surface. Have your dog on a leash or secured in their crate or another room. Even the best-behaved dogs can become a challenge when strangers are in the house and family members are stressed. For our safety, your safety and your pets’, please keep them away from the scene.Can I get in trouble for doing CPR or giving Narcan/naloxone?
Most states, including North Carolina, have Good Samaritan laws that protect you from civil liability for trying to help someone in an emergency.
Does SORS distribute naloxone/Narcan?
No, but Orange County gives out free kits and training at its clinics and there’s a Narcan vending machine in the lobby of the Orange County Detention Center. The UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy maintains an online database of pharmacies and no-cost options across the state at NaloxoneNearMe.org. Administering Narcan/naloxone is easy, but it must be done correctly to have the best outcomes. A little training helps a lot!
Should I really keep a bag of peas in the freezer for emergencies?
A bag of frozen vegetables can be a short-term treatment for swelling, but always keep it from directly touching the skin because it can actually cause a burn. Be sure there’s clothing or a towel between the frozen stuff and the skin, and don’t leave it on for more than 15 minutes.
Do I have to pay for 911 response?
Like other healthcare services, we do bill patients who are transported to the hospital. We try to file with your insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid first, but you may see a bill after being transported to the hospital. Importantly, we do not deny care if you don’t have insurance or resources. After more than half a century, SORS continues to provide vital services to the community without any county funding. In addition to billing for EMS transport services, we finance our operations, grants, special events coverage and donations from the public.
What’s the difference between an EMT and a paramedic?
Training and scope of practice are the differentiators. EMTs generally deliver basic medical care — assessing your condition, performing CPR, administering oxygen or naloxone, providing advanced first aid — and preparing you for transport to the Emergency Room if you need it. They get between 120 and 170 hours of training. Paramedics do all that and provide more advanced lifesaving care, including giving medications, reading EKGs, starting IV lines and performing invasive procedures like intubation. They receive around 1,200 hours of training. Learn more about our EMS Division.
What’s the difference between SORS and county/town EMS or Fire & Rescue?
Nothing in terms of credentials and experience. We’re all licensed to provide various levels of emergency medical services. Orange County, Carrboro, Hillsborough and Chapel Hill all employ EMTs and paramedics. When they respond, they’re on the job. SORS is an all-volunteer squad that supplements these government squads overnight, during periods of high demand and in other situations. When we respond, we’re volunteering. Get the details on how we work with our partner agencies.
Do you have other questions? Email us, and maybe we’ll answer them in an upcoming edition of The South Orange Dispatch.
The South Orange Dispatch is a monthly column on Chapelboro by the South Orange Rescue Squad: an all volunteer, 501c3 non-profit providing EMS and technical rescue services in the Carrboro-Chapel Hill area of Orange County since 1971.
Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our biweekly newsletter.
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