A short clip from “Adrenaline Junkies” A Paramedic Nightmare
It ‘s about 1900 hrs military time (7 PM civilian time); Crew change has been initiated and completed. My name is Jason; I am the EMS Chief of Operations in charge of 62 paramedical units and 410 employees. This department is the main emergency ALS transport system in the county, running an average of 90,000 emergency calls for help each year. After thirty years, this will be my last year in EMS. I have less than 1 month before my retirement.
It has been an unbelievable tour of murders, stabbing, drunks, high angle rescues, births, deaths, and horrifying auto accidents. Knowing that each day would be different in how it would unfold, but the same end result. Someone would be deathly ill, lifeless or ripped apart, placing my life on the line to save theirs. An “Adrenaline Rush” which, with age, goes away.
I have had enough. Responding to an emergency with my hair on fire, traveling faster than the posted speed limit, coming to someone’s rescue. I was ready for rest.
Most individuals I have interviewed over the past few months have state paramedic number’s that are over six digits. I have a state EMS number consisting of three digits, unbelievable.
I had a few more things to take care of before I could end the night, two hours to go before going home for a long awaited weekend rest, Ten toes up with a channel changer in my hand, sound asleep.
All of the office employees have left for the weekend leaving me to close shop. The past week had been extremely busy with emergencies, lots of paperwork for next week. I still had paperwork from a unit inspection by the State Quality Assurance reps today. That didn’t go well and was the last issue I needed to resolve before the weekend.
Finally, peace and quiet, able to work uninterrupted. I always found that Friday nights were quite around the office. Good time to complete paperwork.
As I sat down behind my desk there was a knock at the door. I wasn’t getting back up again to answer it.
“Come on in whoever you are.”
As the door slowly opens, I looked up to see who it was. I was surprised.
“What are you two guys doing here and how did you get into the building without your badges? I thought you two were on suspension since this morning, pending investigation.”
As the two enter the office they close the door. Without speaking a word they immediately pull out handguns and pointed them right at me. Without hesitation they fire several shots, two of them injuring me. The two shooters turn and walk away unnoticed. As I go unconscious, I can see the two slowly walking out the door.
