Imagine the worst-case scenario: road closures, navigating alternate routes and asking your EMS providers to serve in brutal conditions to answer emergent calls in your community 鈥� , just to name a few.
This was the reality for EMS agencies during the unprecedented 2025 snowstorm that blanketed the New Orleans metropolitan area, presenting unique challenges for EMS crews and leadership. With road conditions deteriorating rapidly, EMS leaders had to prioritize crew safety, ensure operational continuity and coordinate with multiple agencies to maintain patient care.
MORE | No roads, no problem: Lessons from EMS who responded to the 2025 Sneaux Storm
Road safety and crew protection
As ice and snow accumulated on roadways, EMS agencies in the southern region faced significant difficulties in responding to emergencies. Leaders had to assess road closures, available equipment for navigation and the overall safety of deploying crews.
鈥淢aking the hard decision of putting our crews on the road is a huge responsibility that we don鈥檛 take lightly. The safety of our crew comes above all else,鈥� said Scott Sissac EMS director, AMED, headquartered in Gretna, Louisiana.
Cedric Palmisano, New Orleans EMS Special Operations and Logistics deputy chief, recalled, 鈥淭wo years ago, we purchased 17 demo/showroom ambulances for Mardi Gras. Turns out, all of those ambulances came with four-wheel drive, something we never thought we needed. Let me tell you, those 4x4 ambulances came in handy with all the snow accumulation. None got stuck.鈥�
Despite challenges, morale remained high in many agencies. Measures were taken to house and feed crews, ensuring they were well cared for during extended shifts. Regular leadership pulse checks helped address emerging concerns and a strong presence of leaders in the field made a positive impact.
鈥淎s a management team, we made it our primary focus to support our medics working the streets and ensure they were as comfortable as possible. We did this by providing access to food 鈥� whether at the hospital or by cooking for them 鈥� a hot shower and a place to rest,鈥� said Reed Miller, EMS director at LCMC Health East Jefferson General Hospital.
Coordination and communication
Another most pressing challenge during this event was ensuring seamless coordination and communication between public safety agencies in the local area.
For the small island community of Grand Isle 鈥� located at the southernmost tip of Jefferson Parish, Louisiana 鈥� road closures completely cut off access to the mainland.
鈥淏eing isolated during any storm is always a concern. We had to ensure close coordination between local law enforcement and the Coast Guard to develop a plan for emergency extrications,鈥� said Terry Blanchard, Director Grand Isle EMS. 鈥淔ortunately, no immediate evacuations were needed until the roads reopened.鈥�
Communication with field providers, 911 dispatch center, emergency operations center (EOC) personnel and hospital availability updates were also critical during this time. Portable radios were the main resource used to communicate road closures and alternate routes from dispatch to the field crews.
Bill Salmeron, director of New Orleans EMS, recalls 鈥渨e are able to have a full-time liaison officer in our communications center along with the generalist communications personnel. We were able to move our light-duty employees into the center as well to help answer questions and direct our citizens to telehealth options within our hospital systems. This helped us focus our resources to the most critical calls for transport.鈥�
MORE | Next-gen emergency response: How live streaming can transform 911 dispatch
Infrastructure challenges: Bursting pipes and public safety
Beyond road safety, the storm brought significant infrastructure challenges. Bursting pipes created additional hazards, impacting water supply and building maintenance.
Todd Albarado, assistant fire chief and EMT at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fire & Emergency Services in New Orleans, explained the need for their service to temporarily shift into a supportive role for the community by 鈥渆xpanding our role beyond emergency response. We assisted in restoring water, setting up water distribution sites, and supporting warming shelters, as outside help was unable to reach us.鈥�
The storm also created unexpected challenges for the Audubon Nature Institute, which operates the local zoo, insectarium and aquarium. The snow storm presented infrastructure challenges as well. During normal operations, you will find EMT employees providing aid to park guests and workers. Patrick Messmer director of Security & Emergency Services at the Audubon Nature Institute, explained, 鈥渁fter the snow melted, we ended up with Lake Audubon in the park as a water main busted underground. That鈥檚 why we keep a team at the aquarium during these events.鈥�
Despite the challenges, Messmer stated 鈥淥nce we reopened, it was great to see the public enjoying the park space in the snow.鈥�
Extraordinary efforts in the field
Amid the storm鈥檚 challenges, EMS leadership emphasized the remarkable resilience of their personnel in often unknown conditions. Many leaders shared the extraordinary efforts demonstrated from the field to care for those in emergent need.
Within a 2-hour timeframe, one agency reported crews successfully extricated a woman in labor, transported a pediatric cardiac arrest across the Mississippi River, and navigated icy roadways to reach a child experiencing a seizure.
鈥淥ur community stepped up in an extraordinary way, forming a chain of care from the deepest parts of the bayou to the hospital. It involved firefighters, police officers and our medics to safely ensure our patients received the immediate care they needed, despite the road challenges,鈥� shared Joseph Cancienne, EMS director, LCMC Health West Jefferson Medical Center.
In the 4 days following the initial impact of the snowstorm, several agencies from the surrounding areas reported similar calls for service, including structure fires, adult cardiac arrests and trauma injuries.
Strength in regional collaboration
Pre-established relationships through the continue to prove invaluable during any disaster this region faces.
The council brings together representatives from all EMS agencies serving the Southeast region, along with key partners, including local hospital systems, the Louisiana Department of Health, the Veterans Administration, local health departments, emergency management organizations, the , and the Audubon Nature Institute. Meeting monthly 鈥� both virtually and in person 鈥� the council works to enhance local protocols, share best practices and refine regional mutual aid response plans.
鈥淥ur region鈥檚 ability to collaborate consistently helps us build strong relationships long before a disaster occurs. That preparation makes a real difference in how we provide patient care in our community,鈥� explained Ryan Brown, Director of Gretna Police & EMS.
As the region reflects on the response to the 2025 snowstorm, EMS leaders recognize the importance of proactive planning, interagency coordination and prioritizing crew welfare. The lessons learned will inform future preparedness efforts, ensuring that EMS remains resilient in the face of extreme weather events.
