A multitude of EMS units responded to accident reports from as far away as Rockbridge County.

As fate would have it the monotony of yesterdays shift, as predicted, would come to an end. Shortly after the daylight crews would mark out of service, Botetourt County decided to have it's first major weather event of 2012. Due to the drastic changes in elevation in northern parts of the county, it has come to my attention that the weather in those areas can change drastically without notice and leave the southern half of the county untouched. It is an anomaly that took years for my to fully understand. Temperatures were predicted to drop into the teens last night, with wind chills being significantly lower. However, unknown to the crews on duty last night was the amount of snow and ice that would accumulate on major highways throughout. At approximately 1945 hours, crews were alerted for an accident with entrapment in the 18000 block of Botetourt Rd.(Rt. 220). Units from Glen Wilton were OS within minutes and advised that large portions of the roadway there were covered with ice and snow hindering responses from outside agencies. As reports of injuries were being given, second and third accidents were occurring in the same vicinity with multiple injuries noted. M754 checked out sometime during the radio chatter and headed that way requesting mutual aid units from Alleghany County to respond for assistance. After an approximately 25 minute response time, crews were able to mark the incidents under control and transport necessary patients to medical facilities. While A Shift was tied up on incidents on 220, crews from Stations 3, 2, and 4 were responding to a multitude of accidents along the northern I-81 corridor. All together, units turned in with some 10 to 15 runs last night. M754 and the power shift turned in with 4. This morning when I awoke from my slumber, I walked outside to find the weather had not changed much. Hopefully today will prove to be not quite as dramatic as last night for the crews of B-Shift(we could only hope.)Until next time.