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Ramsey First Responders: We Must Be Ready For Anything

RAMSEY, N.J. — First it was a massive attack of angry bees, and then it was a motorcycle crash on Route 17 — and both times, Ramsey's first responders were ready.

A medevac transports a motorcycle crash victim from Ramsey to an area hospital.

A medevac transports a motorcycle crash victim from Ramsey to an area hospital.

Photo Credit: Boyd A. Loving

"The diversity and unusual nature of calls that we had this weekend underscores the nature that we must be ready for anything," Deputy Chief of Ramsey Ambulance Corps Meghan Schleicher said. 

"The dedication of our volunteers and the interagency co-operation of our ambulance, police, fire and rescue along with our neighboring towns underscores the strength of our emergency services, something we can all be extremely proud of."

On July 15, 2017 at approximately 1 p.m., the Ramsey Ambulance Corps was dispatched by the Ramsey Police department to reports of multiple patients that were attacked by a disturbed beehive. 

Upon the arrival of Ramsey Police Officers, it was determined that a large swarm of bees were in the area and were attacking pedestrians in the vicinity. 

The Ramsey Volunteer Fire Department and Ramsey Rescue were dispatched to the area to treat patients while the hive was safely relocated. Ramsey Ambulances 424, 425, and Rapid Response Vehicle 419 were on scene within minutes treating Patients. 

Ramsey Office of Emergency Management was also on scene assisting with incident management. When Ramsey Ambulances arrived on scene they requested additional resources from Allendale Ambulance Corps - AVAC and The Valley Hospital to treat additional patients. 

Ramsey Fire Department and Rescue with directed a light stream of water on rescuers to remove the bees. Many Emergency Responders were stung while rendering aid and on scene. Multiple beekeepers came from as far as Teaneck to try and subdue to bees with little to no success. After several hours the bees were successfully and safely removed from the area by the Northern New Jersey Beekeepers Association.

Approximately thirty minutes after the onset of this call, the Ramsey Police Department received a report of a serious motor vehicle accident involving a motorcyclist on Route 17. 

Since both Ramsey Ambulances as well as other town resources were operating at the disturbed beehive, other neighboring agencies from Mahwah (Mahwah EMS) and Upper Saddle River (Upper Saddle River Police) were requested to assist. The Ramsey Fire Department and Rescue Squad established a landing zone for the Patient to be flown by medevac to Saint Joseph's Regional Medical Center.

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