When we arrive at an address after dusk we put our side scan lights on. Usually on both sides of the vehicle. One lot shining on your house and the other lot shining brightly in the direction of the house you live opposite from. This serves two simple purposes; It allows us to see our way across your broken concrete driveway, through the swampgrass front lawn, past the car that you are "gunna fix up one day" (until then your 11 cats will keep breeding in it) and up onto your porch where we can avoid the holes and the cans of butts out front - to help you with your problem.
Illuminating the other side of the ambulance allows us to unload our equipment and not get hit by some muppet who is so awestruck by the appearance of an emergency vehicle that any attempt to control the V8 Holden with the bald tyres is forgotten.
Tonight someone threatened to kill me. That is a voice came out of a half open sash window opposite and said that if I didn't turn off the light that was now shining on his house (allowing me to get my equipment out of the ambulance without getting hit by the aforementioned mobile muppet) he was going to shoot me. Wow.
Is it just me or are we getting less neighbourly?
5 comments:
It's hard to say. I think there's always been an element who see only their best interests, it's just that they used to live further away on farms where you didn't have to encounter them as often.
Actually I'm kind of surprised that you just got the threats to shoot and that they didn't come out on the street to see what was happening, which is the traditional response to emergency vehicles. Then again I suppose it depends on what time we're talking...
Can you call the police about threats to shoot? I'd be tempted.
I had almost the same thing happen in a street near there a few years back. But yes crowds gawking at us all is always a headache. It's probably testament to the crap that's on TV and the fact that we seem to love to watch somebody else in distress.
I used to be right on to notifying the police when people tailed us when we were going lights and sirens or we got hindered by people. Knowing how overworked the police are too, I guess I seem to often just let it go now.
were you scared? or did you get on with it? say anything back!?
can i just say, i love reading your blog posts! I am a "wannabe" Paramedic Student currently undergoing the St John application process (in Perth) and reading your blog is both interesting, ammusing and most of all very informative! Thanks so much!
Thanks Hannah - good luck with your application!
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