EMERGENCY

DISPATCHES

Broadcasts about these fire and ambulance calls were monitored this past week by the newspaper:

DEC. 23

2:20 a.m. — A disoriented woman found on the back porch of a house in the 700 block of E. Lawrence St. in Marion was taken to St. Luke Hospital, Marion, by Marion police after suffering an apparent mental health crisis. Marion ambulance attendants accompanied them but did not transport the patient.

4:17 p.m. — An 81-year-old woman who fell at a home in the 100 block of W. 4th St. in Florence declined to be taken to a hospital by Marion ambulance.

7:02 p.m. — A woman who was found not breathing at a home in the 200 block of E. Chicago Ave. in Lost Springs was pronounced dead. After a caller declined to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, Marion and Tampa ambulances, Lincolnville first responders, Lost Springs firefighters, and sheriff’s deputies were dispatched.

7:05 p.m. — An unconscious 34-year-old man who suffered a seizure while detoxifying from alcohol at a home near 210th and Bison Rds. was taken to Hillsboro Community Hospital by Hillsboro ambulance.

CHRISTMAS EVE

5:32 a.m. — Gas leaking from a meter struck by a vehicle in an alley behind Hillsboro Ford was shut off by Hillsboro firefighters pending arrival of an Atmos Energy crew.

7:44 p.m. — Despite having encrypted police transmissions, dispatchers carried on an annual tradition by announcing on unencrypted talk groups an advisory to be on the lookout for a large flying object entering Kansas.

The announcement continued: “Deputies are advising that the object seems to be a large sleigh, red in color, being pulled by several reindeer, one leading with a red, glowing nose. Driver has been heard loudly saying, ‘Ho, ho, ho,’ and the sound of jingle bells can be heard from at least a mile away.”

Fifteen minutes later, a dispatcher added: “Updated information. Red sleigh is being driven by a male subject last seen wearing a red suit with white trim and a large black belt, shiny black boots, and a red hat. Subject has a long white beard, bushy white eyebrows, and a large round belly. Male subject has been seen carrying a rather large red bag full of gifts.”

After another 15 minutes passed, the dispatcher continued: “Updated BOLO. Male subject has been confirmed as Santa Claus. All children should be in bed. Santa Claus has been observed bounding from rooftop to rooftop. If located, do not detain but assist in spreading cheer. Santa Claus was last sighted entering Marion County, and on behalf of Marion County sheriff’s office, Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.”

CHRISTMAS DAY

12:23 a.m. — A combative 80-year-old woman with dementia, lethargic and more confused than usual after a fall earlier in the day at Parkside Homes in Hillsboro, was taken to HCH by Hillsboro ambulance.

3:42 a.m. — A power line arcing on a streetlight near Goessel Elementary School was monitored by Goessel firefighters for 45 minutes until a Westar Energy crew arrived.

11:56 a.m. — Marion ambulance was dispatched to St. Luke’s emergency room to help administer CPR to a patient there.

THURSDAY

1:33 p.m. — A 77-year-old woman having trouble breathing at a home on Random Rd. at Marion County Lake was taken to NMC Health, formerly Newton Medical Center, by Marion ambulance. A Marion firefighter volunteered to help with the call. The ambulance returned to Marion at 5:05 p.m.

2:41 p.m. — Marion firefighters and an Atmos Energy crew unearth a leaking gas line ruptured in the 200 block of S. Lincoln St. in Marion by a crew buried Internet cable. Gas was allowed to safely escape into the air rather than pool and seep along service lines into nearby residences before the rupture could be repaired. Firefighters remained at the leak until 4:38 p.m.

4:51 p.m. — A 76-year-old man who fell outside a home in the 100 block of Floral Dr. in Hillsboro declined to be taken to a hospital by Hillsboro ambulance.

FRIDAY

5:38 a.m. — A 78-year-old woman with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and a fever at Peabody Health and Rehab was taken to NMC Health by Hillsboro ambulance. The ambulance returned to Hillsboro at 7:56 a.m.

6:03 a.m. — With Hillsboro ambulance traveling to Peabody, Marion ambulance was sent to the 200 block of N. Washington St. in Hillsboro for an 87-year-old woman with rib pain after being hospitalized for atrial fibrillation. An ambulance supervisor based in Hillsboro also responded. The ambulance took the patient to HCH.

9:48 a.m. — A Burns firefighter spent two hours investigating what apparently was to be a controlled burn near 40th and Upland Rds.

3:19 p.m. — Lost Springs firefighters spent a little less than an hour checking the area after a caller reported stomping out a small grass fire west of US-56/77, just south of 350th Rd.

7:40 p.m. — A 76-year-old man feeling weak from COVID-19 at a farmhouse near 180th and Indigo Rds. was taken to HCH by Hillsboro ambulance.

SATURDAY

2:49 a.m. — An 86-year-old woman vomiting and dehydrated at Parkside Homes was taken to HCH by Hillsboro ambulance.

3:47 a.m. — An 86-year-old man not feeling well at a home in the 300 block of N. Birch St. in Hillsboro was taken to HCH by Hillsboro ambulance.

4:30 p.m. — Arcing on a utility pole along US-56 between Goldenrod and Falcon Rds. stopped before Hillsboro firefighters arrived, but Evergy crews were notified because an insulator appeared to have burned.