...unless it's a true emergency.
I know that you, in blogland, are very reasonable and would not call 911 because your kid had nasal congestion for 3 days.
Or because you have an ingrown toenail.
Or because you can't sleep.
But, there are many, many people who make such calls and abuse the 911 system.
Having a fire crew respond to a non-emergency is not to be taken lightly.
In addition to being a drain on a community's resources, it is actually a potential danger to firefighters and civilians alike.
Driving Code 3, that is with lights and sirens, is actually dangerous.
Even the most conscientious engineers are at risk to have accidents.
(Google Image from 2007)
Here are just a few of the tragedies in 2009:
March 19, 2009-Philadelphia - A fire truck and an engine collided going to a false alarm and 9 firefighters and 1 civilian were injured.
April 1, 2009-Houston- Two fire trucks overturned on the way to a false alarm. 11 firefighters and 1 civilian were injured
December 27, 2009-Orlando area- car crashes into fire truck, civilian killed.
Some people call 911 for non-emergencies because they think they will go to the head of the line in the ER.
Others think that fire engines are hospitals on wheels and that they can see the paramedics instead of seeking care from a physician.
Unfortunately there are not consequences for these EMS abusers.
Hopefully, one day there will be a way to control this problem.
Until then, spread the word...Don't call my husband unless it's a real emergency.
Oh, and while I'm at it:
When you see a firetruck responding to an accident on the freeway...please SLOW DOWN. We need daddy to come home.
Thanks,
A firewife who loves her wonderful man. He is my hero.
(And he's also a wonderful writer! Stop by his blog (click here) and say hello :)
p.s.I really love what blogger Candace Jean wrote in her comment:
She remembers her grandmother telling her each time she heard a siren that someone needed a prayer.
That is so neat.
I am going to do this and teach my kids too. We will pray for the person needing help and the firefighters.
34 comments:
Thanks for this super important reminder....
.....praying that angels are constantly watching over your hubby (and you). Thanks to both of you, the world is a safer place.
It's a shame how many people use 911 so freely and without real cause!
I totally agree with you - the 911 system is used so inappropriately. My thanks to your hubby and the work he does! Prayers for his continued safety.
I remember my grandma always used to tell me that when we heard a siren, someone needs our prayers. I've never forgotten that.
I wish systems would stop being abused!!
Oh honey, I hear you!
One of our officers was just injured in an accident being called to the scene of a "kidnapping" - where an 11-year old had lied because he got a bad grade and wanted to deflect attention.
I echo your sentiment - slow down and be careful around our heros!
Point well taken....
there should be no need of the rescuers rescuing the the rescuer...
and if I wasn't so against it I would say that there aught to be a law....
how bout letting the rescuers administer instant and immediate punishment...
I am certain after following his blog for a while now that they could come up with some very original, shall we say rewards for bad behavior...I'm still snickering over the DUMAS scale....
Slow down and pull over to the right so they can pass you!
My husband has told me about calls where people call for an ambulance just to get out of work for the day. The person gets transported to the E.R. and then they sign a paper that says they refuse treatment against medical advice, and then they leave! Outrageous!
It absolutely annoys me to no end when people don't get out of the way of emergency vehicles AND when drivers rubber-neck and gawk at an accident instead of just moving on. Grrr.
Some of the things people call for are truly amazing! A nose bleed, a sore arm, a sore neck, a ride to the hospital because they can't afford a taxi.
Remember, when you call 911, you are taking people away from helping other people who truly might need it. The lower the manning, the lower the chance of getting help when you need it.
BTW, probably 70% of the calls my hubby goes on are NOT emergencies. Isn't that interesting?
Clearly, it not only takes bravery but also a ton of PATIENCE!! As I've said before...I admire both of you SO much because if the careers of service that you've chosen.
Belle is so right...I swear I don't know how my husband has the patience to dealt with the "patients" he goes to on bogus calls...which is more often than not! So sad, but true!
BTW...I attended Catholic grade school and like Candace Jean, Sister Rosario taught us to STOP our school lessons immediately and say a quick prayer for the victim needing assistance...perhaps we should pray for the first responders too! Anyway, I've since passed this tradition on to my own two little ones..afterall, we need Daddy to come home too!!!
Thanks for the stopping by and the well wishes,
Val
Wow- there's not a law against that? I thought for sure there was.
Insane, that's all I think of. People are insane.
Too many people abuse services and that is so sad. I always pull over and the sound of a siren. I feel that in the United States today we have so many people that don't belong here and just are unable or unwilling to learn and respect the important things.
I agree, there should be a law against that.
I guess I live in my own little bubble where I would never fathom calling 911 unless it was super serious. I can't believe people think this is okay to do! I guess more people need a healthy respect for the law. I also think emergency vehicles should have cameras recording all of the license plate # of the idiots who don't get out of the way.
I do that too...automatically pray for whoever they are going to help and everyone's safety. I think people have forgotten that they are supposed to slow down or pull off to the side of the road when an emergency vehicle is going by. Your husband is definitely a hero...tell him a big THANK YOU!
well put friend! I used to get so irritated when kids were transported to our clinic for the stupidest reasons, but I had never thought of it being so dangerous for the responders! Thank you for bringing that to light!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Such a great post!
This is something I have never thought about, but I would imagine plenty of people totally abuse the system......that is so sad.
What terrible tragedies.... I do remember the one in Philadelphia.... we don't live far from the city.
Hope you have a wonderfun weekend!
Lisa
Are you serious! People really call for those reasons????? We just visited our local firestation for a kindergarten fieldtrip and they did make it a point to talk to the kids about what they thought an emergency was and what was considered a real emergency.
I had no idea people call 911 for such stupid things!
That is a good idea to realize that every time you see a siren, know that someone needs prayer, even if it is the ones behind the siren going to a call.
I had no idea! I can't imagine calling 911 unless it's a true emergency. Although, I've taken care of women who arrived via ambulance because their water broke!
Great advice! Thank your hubby for his service to those in need.
We live just up the hill from our local hospital. Whenever we hear helicopters we start praying. We only hear them when they MedFlight a patient. I'll do the same for sirens from now on. :-)
A great reminder.....thanks....
I agree! I keep the local police department dispatch number stored in my phone. I would only call 911if it were a true emergency. I wish more people would do the same.
I don't know what is wrong with people these days! Duh!
I heard about a woman, once, who had that habit of praying each time she heard an ambulance. One time she found out that the person she was praying for was her own husband!
I do that too with the prayers. My mom taught us that too. I hear ya. I have never dialed 911 and I pray that I never have to.
So, so true. Thanks for posting this :)
My hubby went on a call the other night...3am...because the woman was home alone and had a bad dream. What a waste of resources, time, energy, etc on everyone's behalf.
Guess I'd want a bunch of firemen in turnouts to come calm me down after a bad dream, too ;)
I'm always amazed when I hear stories on the news of people who called 911 for non-emergencies! In the meantime, there's someone out there who needs help!
I was waiting at light yesterday and an ambulance and a firetruck came whizzing by with lights and sirens on and I was shocked at how many people continue to cruise on their way, getting in the way of the ambulance and firetruck!
Amen Candace Jean... I've told my son that and we pray right then and there. But I don't know that I've prayed for the responders; adding that as of now. Strangely enough, I got a paper cut this afternoon. It bled copiously, and even after I thought I'd gotten everything stopped and cleaned up, it bled a little more. And then my boy saw my finger and freaked out. "Call 911!!" he shrieked. And so we had the discussion as to why 911 is not to be taken lightly; isn't that oddly coincidental? We are on the same wavelength! And please know that YOUR family is in my prayers on a regular basis.....
I think there are also ppl who are just plain stupid and have absolutely no clue how to determine between what is emergent and what is not. Hope your hubby always stays safe.
My grandmother taught us to pray whenever we saw or heard an ambulance or fire truck, too! I taught my own girls to do the same...we had to modify the system, however, when we moved in right next door to a hospital. Seriously. It gave new meaning to "pray without ceasing"!
God bless your husband!
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