News

https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/2020/04/16/sparrow-lansing-fire-department-no-ambulances-issues-during-protest/5145522002/

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Although photos spread across social media appeared to show otherwise, there were no major delays or roadblocks for ambulances during Wednesday’s protest of the governor’s stay-home order, officials said.

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The rally drew several thousand people to downtown Lansing to protest in their vehicles. Vehicles stopped traffic for several miles around the Capitol, accomplishing organizers’ goal of causing a gridlock downtown.

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But both the Lansing Fire Department and Sparrow Health Systems said they didn’t experience any major delays from the protest. 

Lansing Fire Department Assistant Chief Mike Tobin said while the ambulances were slowed down because of the congestion, crews told him it was no worse than a heavy day in rush hour.

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When an ambulance sped toward Sparrow with lights and sirens on, traffic got out of the way, Tobin said. In one photo that appeared to show an ambulance stuck in traffic on Grand Avenue and Washtenaw Street, Tobin said the ambulance did not have a patient on board.