Milwaukee first responders see increase in calls due to bitterly cold weather

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – Whenever it gets extremely cold outside, crews at Bell Ambulance get busier.

"We've seen an increase in about 15-20 calls a day," said Shannon Gannon, shift supervisor at Bell Ambulance.

EMT's and paramedics have been responding to more calls from people needing help because of bone-chilling weather in southeast Wisconsin. The cold related injuries are varied.

"It's a little bit of it all. Frostbites, hypothermia, and just people being out in the elements," Gannon said.

The calls are coming from vulnerable populations, such as, the elderly, the homeless and those with existing medical conditions. During frigid temperatures, medics try to warm them up, then take them to the hospital.

"This is an IV warmer. We have saline that's actually being warmed all the time. It's always running, always warming," Gannon added.

Medics have also responded to slips and falls, also car accidents during the wintry weather. But with news of even more brutal weather on the way, many in the area are concerned.

"I guess just for people, if their heat goes out," said Nick Pluer. "It's definitely just very dangerous." 

According to experts, you should limit your time outside during the dangerously cold weather. You’re at risk of getting frost bite in just half an hour, if skin is exposed.