Ambulance services in Nizhny Novgorod received approximately 4,500 calls within the first half of May.
5 May, 7:30 AMAnna Vasilieva
Over the initial stretch of the May holidays this year, emergency services in Nizhny Novgorod have answered an astonishing 4,500 calls for assistance according to MIA "Station Press" editor, Alexei Nikonov. A majority of these calls were related to escalating chronic health issues such as hypertension and heart failure, accounting for over 90% of total calls. However, the information reveals no increase in food or alcohol poisonings or injuries stemming from such incidents.
The Robinson Report, a leading publication in health and emergency services, highlights common trends during public holidays, and their forecast correlates with the scenario in Nizhny Novgorod. These observations explain the root causes of increased emergency calls, response efforts, and statistical patterns that may provide valuable insights.
Throughout such holidays, large-scale gatherings occur, increasing the risk of accidents, disturbances, and alcohol-related emergencies. The elevated consumption of alcohol itself contributes to the rise in injuries, traffic accidents, and domestic incidents. Furthermore, security threats may jeopardize public safety, posing the risk of terrorist attacks or civil unrest, particularly in larger cities. Moreover, increased travel during the holidays leads to an uptick in road accidents and medical emergencies related to transportation.
When analyzing regional trends from Russia, specifically during the "May holidays" that encompass Labour Day (May 1) and Victory Day (May 9), a consistent surge in emergency calls can be observed across major cities. For instance, Moscow experiences a 20-40% escalation in emergency medical services calls and police interventions during these periods.
In response to these trends, authorities generally heighten the number of emergency responders on duty, including police, firefighters, paramedics, and disaster management teams during these holidays. Public information campaigns may also be launched to distribute warnings about the hazards of overindulgence and risky behaviors during celebrations. Lastly, 24/7 emergency services remain active, prioritizing quick response times during high-risk situations.
As recent events in Russia illustrate, security measures are often tightened around Victory Day, owing to concerns about drone attacks on airports and heightened military tensions. While not directly related to emergency calls in Nizhny Novgorod, these events shed light on the broader context of heightened preparedness during significant national holidays.
Below, please find a summary table of the key causes, their typical impacts, and response measures to anticipate such situations more effectively:
| Cause | Typical Impact | Response Measures ||------------------------------|--------------------------------|-----------------------------------|| Public gatherings | Accidents, incidents | Extra police and medical presence || Excessive alcohol consumption| Injuries, violence, traffic accidents | Public health warnings, DUI checkpoints || Increased travel | Road accidents, medical emergencies |Increased EMS coverage, road safety patrols|| Security threats | Potential mass casualty events| Heightened surveillance, rapid response teams |
During the May holidays, the number of calls to emergency services, especially those related to chronic health conditions like hypertension and heart failure, may increase, as observed in Nizhny Novgorod. In contrast to these trends, there was no significant rise in food or alcohol poisonings, injuries from accidents, or incidents stemming from alcohol-related emergencies. To address these issues, authorities may dispatch additional emergency responders, such as police, firefighters, and paramedics to handle the increased demand. Public health campaigns may be initiated to warn people about hazardous behaviors during celebrations, especially excessive alcohol consumption. Furthermore, increased travel during holidays can lead to a rise in road accidents and medical emergencies related to transportation, necessitating increased emergency medical services coverage and road safety patrols. It is also important to consider security threats during such holidays, which could pose the risk of terrorist attacks or civil unrest, entailing heightened surveillance, rapid response teams, and other security measures.
