Sykesville fire and EMS crews faced a challenging response Saturday afternoon, January 23, at the height of the snow storm, with a medical call on Arrington Road.

At 3:28 PM, crews were dispatched to a home in the 2100 block of Arrington Road. The caller reported that a snow blower had been running inside of a house, with a carbon monoxide condition and a woman becoming ill.

Responding crews found road conditions hazardous and staged at the intersection of Route 32 and Raincliffe Road to await a snow plow to clear the way in to the scene. A National Guard Humvee detailed to the fire department only made it a short distance farther.

Several smaller plows from the Town of Sykesville responded, but were no match for snow drifts 4-5 feet high in some spots. Eventually, a large front-end loader from the Carroll County public works crew was able to work its way in, with responders behind. Dispatchers were in touch with the patient, who had gone outside and was feeling better in the fresh air. Crews finally arrived on the scene at approximately 5:10 PM, over 90 minutes after the call was dispatched. The patient refused treatment and transport.

There are several points to be noted from this incident. First, the road conditions are extremely dangerous around the area. While plow crews are working as best as they can, the snow continues to outpace their progress. And, if first responders are having difficulty navigating the roads, it should be a clue to others not to even try.

Secondly, never, under ANY circumstances, should you run a combustible engine inside of an occupied building. Carbon monoxide fumes can build up quickly, presenting a danger to the health of anyone inside. Whether it's a generator, a snow blower or other device, please make sure it is running outside, with the fumes directed well away from the building.

Finally, a tip of the cap to the public works crews who have been working non-stop since the storm began to try to keep ahead of the snowfall. There's a long way to go before roads will be passable and they can rest. Give them some love if you happen to see them out and about.

We're well into the second half of the storm. Please continue to be patient, and hunker down for another night. And keep watching our website for updates on incidents, and conditions around the area. Thank you for your cooperation and your support.