Akwesasne Mohawk Ambulance Reminders

There is still only one ambulance and duty crew on at any given time and we service the whole of Akwesasne. Patients are taken to Cornwall, Malone and Massena hospitals.

Our friends at Seaway Valley Ambulance are still not operating at night or on weekends. In those off hours we cannot count on them to come to Akwesasne as a backup ambulance service. Massena Rescue will come to the American side only, if they are not busy on another call in the Massena/Louisville area. This means that there may not always be an ambulance immediately available for Akwesasronon. Many times, we have to call EMT’S when they are on their time off, to come in for backup calls.

Given this, we ask that residents call us only in emergency situations that result from accidents, injuries and acute illnesses. If someone requires oxygen, is unconscious, bleeding heavily or is suffering from signs /symptoms of a stroke or heart attack, these are considered emergencies. Someone that can only be moved on a stretcher because of a suspected bone fracture fits into this category, too. An emergency can be defined as a sudden unexpected occurrence that demands immediate attention.

The more detailed information that EMT’S have about the patient’s condition, the better prepared they are when they arrive on scene. Eg. shortness of breath, chest pain, is patient unconscious, can patient speak or swallow. When EMT’S arrive they will need to see all the medications that the patient is taking and the meds will need to accompany the patient to the hospital. It is important to let Dispatch know approximately how much the patient weighs and if they are in an upstairs bedroom/area where a large stretcher will not be able to turn in the stairwell. EMT’S sometimes need to call for a lift assist and they have other equipment to use where a stretcher will not fit. When there is a Motor Vehicle Accident it is important to say if there are one, two or more vehicles involved. Sometimes more than one ambulance is needed. A call back phone # is important to have, should the ambulance be delayed or not be able to find your house.

We know that some people believe that if they go to the hospital in an ambulance they will be seen quicker. This is not true! Emergency Rooms conduct what they call triage (assess the priority) and it doesn’t matter if an ambulance takes a patient in, patients still have to wait if the hospital does not see the illness/injury as a high priority.

If you are having an emergency, please call Central Dispatch at (613) 575-2000.

Please know that if you choose to call the Tribal Police, they will send a police car to the scene, as well.

When the snow flies and ice builds on roads, the ambulance has to go slowly and be driven with care. Weather does hinder response time. It is important to have your driveway plowed with steps and ramps accessible and free of ice and snow. This helps with the response time, can prevent the ambulance from getting stuck and decreases the chance of any falls or injuries.

One other very important item is: if you do not have your house number posted and visible from the road, emergency vehicles can not find you and precious time will be lost in an emergency situation.

Best Wishes for a Healthy and Safe Winter from the Staff and Management, Akwesasne Ambulance