Rescue Refugees

I was worried that I had lost the drive that has sustained my time on Rescue 1. By the time my vacation rolled around, every call had become routine, my patients just another job. I did all the right things, carried on, and made the best of it but in the back of my mind I feared I had reached the end of the rescue road. This is a gruelling profession under normal circumstances, Providence and it’s lack of resources ratchet things up another notch. The sheer volume of calls makes it difficult to maintain a positive outlook. The people answering the 911 calls are capable of giving only so much help before they need help themselves.

During my ten years on the fire suppression side of the job I saw a lot of great people reach the crossroad I had stumbled upon. Lenny, a Rescue Captain and fellow writer finally gave up his rank and transferred to Engine 5 as a firefighter. Nobody showed more compassion or dedication to EMS. His partner Steve followed, another loss to the division. Bo finally called it quits, he’s now a Fire Lieutenant who I’m sure will be just as respected there as he was on Rescue 3. Ronny has been fighting fire on Ladder 6 for years after hitting the “rescue wall.” He was one of the best, he just couldn’t keep doing a job he no longer loved. He’s a good firefighter but the rescue division misses him and his leadership. Dave is another rescue refugee. He turned in his bars and works on an engine company, a ton of knowledge lost. Joe EMT went to Engine 10 a few years ago, shocking everybody. He is thriving there to nobodies surprise but is sorely missed in the rescue division. Scott, my first partner went to Engine 9 when he could take it no longer. Woody, our Union’s Secretary Treasurer took a wealth of knowledge and dedication with him to Ladder 1.

Those are just the Rescue officers, and there are more I can’t remember right now, the list of Rescue Technicians is much longer. My friend and partner Renato has drifted over to Engine 11, but I think he will come back. It is a shame the City of Providence lets all of this talent, dedication and skill escape a vital part of the Fire Department. We need more rescues. Until we get them the division will suffer.

Back from vacation, whole new perspective. Seventy-two hours in four days, sixty runs. One lady with chest pain called us, we found her in rapid atrial fibrillation and got her to the hospital, IV’s, nitro, 02, aspirin, ekg. Another guy suffered a serious brain bleed after smashing his head on the pavement. IV’s, spine board, collar, 02. Throw in a few motorcycle accidents, a handful of assaults, ten or so car wrecks, the usual intoxicated subjects, some maternity’s, a couple of kids hit by cars and you have the recipe for a satisfying career. I just wish it didn’t happen so often.