ATCEMS gearing up for busy Fourth of July weekend

AUSTIN (KXAN) — With thousands of Texans gearing up for the Fourth of July weekend, first responders are getting ready as well.

“We certainly see an increase in call volume,” said Captain Christa Stedman with Austin-Travis County EMS.

No matter the call, ATCEMS will be there to help says Stedman. Taking a proactive approach to safety can make a big difference, especially if you are heading out on the water.

“People who are not strong swimmers should be wearing life jackets. If you are with a group, there should be somebody who is designated as the water watcher, especially if you are with a group of kids,” Stedman said.

While the temperatures won’t be as hot as in past years, Stedman still says you should hydrate and try to keep cool if you plan on being outside all day.

“You can still experience heat-related illness while you are in the water,” Stedman said.

ATCEMS takes a proactive approach as well. They use drones to monitor large events.

“It gives us a birds eye view of the crowd, and that way when something does happen within the crowd, we can easily pinpoint where those people are and we can guide our responders in,” Stedman said.

Stedman says a few simple safety steps can make your 4th of July weekend a good one.