BARGERSVILLE, Ind. — Neighbors are on standby to help first responders during emergencies in the winter storm.
In fact, owning an ATV or snowmobile just became really important in Johnson County.
They can go where bigger vehicles like an ambulance, can't go.
It's why Bargersville Fire Chief Mike Pruitt asked for volunteers on social media Sunday - if people who owned snowmobiles or ATVs would be willing to assist EMTs and paramedics during the storm.
When that call for help went out, Aaron Dotson responded right away.
"A buddy of mine texted me about it," Dotson said. "I thought I'll volunteer. I'll be out anyway."
He wasn't the only one who responded.
He's now part of a small army of 40 volunteers, willing to use these machines to get to people near Bargersville who are stuck and have a medical emergency in the storm.
"There are situations we get into with driveways where fire trucks may not be able to make it up the driveway or the ambulance can't get up the driveway," Pruitt explained. "Anything that we can put our medical personnel on, taking them out of the residence to the ambulance, we just wanted plan in place so if this occurs we're ready."
"Yeah, this thing will go anywhere in the snow," Dotson said.
Now, he and his snowmobile might deliver medication, food, and paramedics and EMTs to people in need.
Pruitt mapped out all the volunteers' locations, so if there is an emergency, he can send the closest vehicle. The volunteers are on standby through the night: Hoosiers prepared to help right alongside our first responders.
"They can call me. I'll be ready. I'll have my phone with me," Dotson said.
"Especially with the year we've had, to watch people jump in and say we're here to help, we'll make this happen, it's awesome to see that," Pruitt said.