The call came in as a general medical call. No details; just need an ambulance. So, we get out of the truck relaxed and not expecting any excitement. I was on the curb side and was getting the medic box out of the side door of our 1980 Ford E 350 van high top ambulance. Just as I turned, with the big tackle box in my hand, toward the house I saw him. An extremely large man stepped out onto the front porch with a shot-gun in his hand. I heard an extremely loud BOOM! just as my partner yelled, “GUN!!” I found myself standing next to him on the driver side of the ambulance. Did you catch that? In a flash, I was transported through time and space from one side of the ambulance to the other.
The real story was told by the dirt on my pants and shirt and the disturbed ground on both sides of the truck. So, if anyone ever asks, “can you crawl under a van in a hurry, while it’s running?” The answer is, “Sure you can.” You may want to add the fact that a man with a gun will make the trip much faster.
This brings up another point. If you are in the business of helping others, you would expect to be treated with respect and kindness. Sometimes that is true, but many times you are met with hostility and anger. What a concept?! Call someone to help you and then scream obscenities at them. That makes everything go smoother!
The point is people who go into EMS or nursing or similar fields would have an expectation of being safe on most days at work. This may be true MOST days. The problem is that you don’t know which days are safe days and which days are not safe days. The times in which we live are trying and uncertain for us all. Anyone who gets in their car and drives out of the driveway is placed at risk. You are placed at risk by the others on the road with you. You are placed at risk by those who decide to throw objects off bridges or takes shots at cars on the road. You are placed at risk by the fact that you could pass out at the wheel and wreck your car. The most disturbing thing about working in public safety is you are expected to run into situations that everyone else is running away from.
The people who cause the chaos like that mentioned above are often times intentional with their acts. Occasionally, it is an accident. The dilemma public safety workers face is who is who. You see, many times, in a given situation it is not immediately clear as to who the bad guys are. You must (should) always be alert. The bad guys may act like your friend to mislead you. You don’t have to be a police officer to intimidate or threaten someone. A paramedic in the home of a drug dealer or user can cause a lot of anxiety. As I write this, I think about those in “the business”. I urge you to be careful. Make sure you go home at the end of your shift. Be vigilant about your safety and the safety of those around you. I also think of the citizens of our country who call on the public safety professionals for assistance. In most cases they are working as hard as they can to rectify the situation. Be patient. Be calm. Be respectful. Take a deep breath and let them do their job. They are good at what they do.
Some of you are thinking of a situation where a police officer or paramedic has abused the privilege of the badge. I know it happens, but it happens very rarely. The reality is that 99% of the men and women in public safety are dedicated to doing their very best.
If I had my way, I would award a medal to all who put on a badge. Any badge. My hat is off to you ladies and gentlemen.
1 Peter 2:17 (NIV)
Pray for those public servants in your area.
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