GASCONADE COUNTY — Osage Ambulance District personnel faced many challenges while attempting to respond to a high priority medical call south of Redbird a week ago Wednesday. They were ultimately successful May 8 in large part due to the collaboration of emergency services agencies from Gasconade, Maries and Osage counties, and state agencies.

Shortly after strong storms ravaged the area Wednesday morning, Gasconade County 911 received a high priority medical call from southern Gasconade County on Elk Head Road within the territory served by Osage Ambulance District.

Osage County 911 dispatched Osage EMS and Belle Fire. Gasconade County 911 paged Bland Fire, however Bland Fire personnel were already responding to an incident related to high water over the roadway, so were initially unable to respond. Osage Ambulance District sent both an ambulance and an EMS supervisor, and Belle Fire also responded.

Osage County 911 coordinated efforts to get first responders to the scene, while Gasconade County 911 continued to provide emergency medical dispatch instructions to the caller and kept responders updated on the patient’s condition.

Emergency personnel encountered flooded roads and downed trees on multiples routes to the call, and were repeatedly forced to reroute. Route B also had water running over the roadway south of Redbird.

By policy, ambulances are not allowed to cross moving water for safety reasons, and many of the flooded areas were not at designated or known low water crossings.

“We received such a large amount of rain over a short period of time that water was over the county roads in non-traditional places, making it even more dangerous and unpredictable,” said Osage Ambulance District EMS Chief Josh Krull. “During flash flooding, we urge the public to travel with caution.” 

Air medical resources were unable to help due to storms still affecting the area. When it became apparent that emergency personnel were having difficulty reaching the scene, Bland fire personnel left the previous call they were on, to assist.

MODOT and additional fire units were dispatched, and worked diligently to saw and remove downed trees that were blocking one of the county roads. 

A Missouri Conservation agent offered assistance, and was en route with a water raft to potentially help cross a flooded area.

Water finally receded enough in one area that a Belle Fire unit was able to make it to the residence and radio in the path they took. While EMS units moved toward that location, fire units were preparing to transport the patient to meet the ambulance if necessary, in case the size and weight of the ambulance prohibited it from taking the only open route.

Ultimately EMS units made it to the scene, took over patient care, and quickly stabilized the patient for transport.

“The teamwork and collaboration was fantastic, and, although the response seemed to take awhile, all hands were working tirelessly to gain access from multiple routes until it was finally achieved,” said Krull. The patient was transported in stable condition to a local hospital.