ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — They’re pedaling paramedics.
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Lori Clay and Erik Olson are on the bike team with the Orange County Fire Rescue Department.
“This is just a cool thing to do with the fire department,” Olson said.
You’ll see them cruising around at major events, packed with people.
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“Most of the time we’re on our bikes up and down. I drive just patrolling, listening for calls,” Clay said.
When the emergency call comes in, they kick it into high gear.
“If it’s a big event, then the engine and rescue have a hard time getting through traffic,” Clay said.
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The bike is equipped to respond to any call. They carry everything from bandages to an AED.
“We can do everything that you could do in a rescue,” Clay said.
The bikes provide better mobility, cutting down their response time.
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“We can get there as fast as possible. Beat the engine or rescue into the call, and a lot of times we are there, minutes ahead of them,” Olson said.
Minutes matter during an emergency.
“If we can get there quicker than the engine and saving a life may happen a little bit sooner,” Clay said.
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