When researching uplifting stories about the work of our incredibly brave emergency responders, I came upon an article that I thought was too humorous not to share. Admittedly, this slightly immature gal got a real kick out of the second incident as told by a paramedic, Ann Young.
Ann’s story:
“I have 2 stories, both of them more of embarrassments to me...
I started my EMS career as a basic EMT volunteering for GAVAC, the best ambulance squad I've ever worked for. For several weeks I rode with another EMT or a paramedic so I could learn.
One day, the paramedic in my ambulance told me that he wanted me to call in the report on the patient to the hospital. I tried to beg off but in the end, I had to learn to do it.
I was so incredibly nervous. I ran through my mind several times everything I was going to say. Then the time came. I contacted the hospital and gave it a go. I was so nervous that my voice was shaky. As I spoke, I tried to think at the same time of everything that needed to be said. I ended up saying, “negative chest pain in the groin area.” I was so nervous that I didn't even realize what I had said. The nurse on the other end didn't respond right away. When she did finally come on the line, she asked if the patient was complaining of pain in his chest or his groin. I remember thinking to myself, “that's a weird question. Why is she asking that?” I confirmed that he didn't have pain in either area.
When I got off the line, the paramedic burst out laughing. He was laughing so hard that he couldn't even speak to tell me why he was laughing. Then he finally told me. I was so embarrassed.
To make matters worse, when we walked into the hospital, a group of nurses, doctors, and patient care technicians had gathered around to see the idiot who said, “negative chest pain in the groin area.” They all had a good laugh at my expense.
Fast forward a couple of years later. I'm now an A-EMT-I working and attending paramedic school. We get a call for an MCI (Mass Casualty Incident). No one was dead but there were over 200 patients so EMS services were taxed, to say the least.
There was a large, multi-floor office building in downtown Albany, NY that housed many different companies and hundreds of employees. At some point during the day, employees noticed an odor. As the day continued, over 200 people became sick. They complained of headaches, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, and even vomiting.
At some point, I was put in charge of triage. I had to quickly evaluate each patient and then give them a colored tag that labeled them based on how sick they were and how urgently they needed treatment. I was standing on the front steps of the building where people were sitting and waiting to be triaged. My back was to the street and I was bent over using my thigh to write on the colored tags.”
The next morning I woke up to a phone call from my boyfriend. He asked me, “did you see it?” I was like, “See what?” He told me not to get upset. I asked him what the hell was going on. Then he told me to go and get my newspaper.
I get the newspaper and my boyfriend instructs me to look at the front page of the local section. I pulled out the local section and took a look. O M G!
The photographer decided to take a picture of the front of the building where all of the people were lined up waiting to be triaged. Well remember how my back was to the street and I was bent over to use my thigh to write on? Yeah so in the very center of the large picture taking up most of the page was… MY ASS! They also decided to title the picture of my ass with, “Forced Out by Fumes!”
Okay so the general population didn't know it was my ass but everyone I worked with did. I went to work that day to find the picture had been cut out of the newspaper and taped in multiple locations throughout the station.
As I look back now, I'm glad that I could provide a couple of laughs to my fellow associates who work in such a stressful field.
Regularly, first responders are thrown into what seems unimaginable situations for most of us. And, thankfully, throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, their extraordinary courage has been highlighted through news media, social media, and other internet-based channels. As we pay tribute to these warriors and their efforts, let us be reminded of the importance of making light of our circumstances, pleasant or not. After all, if they can maintain a sense of humor (even under duress)...so can we.
Thank you to all of our heroes who put their lives on the line!
Wishing you a joyful life!!!
Story by Ann Young, paramedic, featured on Quora.com
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