Although highly trained and ready for action, we suspect many emergency services partners would be content waiting for a call, rather than attending one.
Sure, the adrenaline surge as the sirens sound and the vehicle races to the scene may offer some excitement, but far too often what they encounter is beyond disturbing and stressful. The public counts on paramedics, police officers and firefighters to attend and quickly handle whatever disaster they come upon. Their efforts are valued and worthy of respect because theirs is a job not everyone can do. We know that.
Most of us will admit to a lack of patience and discipline when dealing with conflict. With rare exception, emergency service personnel are able to bring calm to a scene. The car accident call, a medical emergency at home or in a public setting, fire consuming a building or a gas leak being held at bay. Once these folks are on scene, they can take control and work professionally towards the best outcome for all.
Missing quite often in these conversations is recognition that uniformed providers are human too. Over the years we have had the good fortune of talking to these people outside of an emergency setting. Their stories run along the same vein – interest in serving others and keeping the public safe. The odd person will open up a bit about the emotional toll some calls take. Despite the invincible persona, there are occasions where things hit way too close to home. Often that involves tragedies where something happened that was unavoidable but took place because someone just wasn’t thinking or took a risk that was just plain dumb.
This frustrating realization does not deter them from going to work the next day. That’s the good news. On the bad news side, the public isn’t getting smarter, despite efforts to educate and inform.
For as many years as we can remember, smoke and carbon monoxide alarm checks have been pitched to residents in the fall. These safety items save lives, but yet again, right on time for Fire Safety Week (Oct. 5 to 11), we are reminded by a recent example how important it is to have properly functioning alarms. Luckily, all tenants safely exited a recent multi-residential fire in Elora.
How many more times do we expect paramedics, police and firefighters to attend a car accident due to speed, impaired driving or racing through traffic lights?
Poor choices, bad decisions, irresponsible actions – all of these lead to unnecessary use of resources and loss of life.
Wake up people. Do your part.
