Broad Street Bullies,
E-10, L-5
They are worn out, neglected and in disrepair. Some are nestled in the neighborhoods, others on the main street. To us, it’s home. For the People of Providence, an oasis in time of need.
Friday night, 1700 hrs. During a family birthday party a couple of kids clunk heads. One of the boys, a three year old named Harris feels a little dizzy. He goes to the bathroom and closes the door. Five minutes later his mom checks on him. The boy is semi-conscious. She picks the limp body off the toilet and carries him into the living room.
Atwells Avenue, R-6, E-14, L-6
The Big Apple
He starts to seize.
Rochambeau Avenue, E-4
Not knowing what to do they carry him to the car and start toward the emergency room. Harris is now unconscious, shaking uncontrollably. The mother speeds toward the ER, panicking.
E-11, DOT
The Outpost
Half way there The Broad Street Fire Station comes into view. Ladder 5 had just returned from a call, the overhead door is open. She speeds onto the ramp and stops just before crashing into the building. Four firefighters rush to the car, see the panicked woman and find the child actively seizing in the back seat. One calls fire alarm to request a rescue, the others bring him into the station, lay him on a table and begin to treat him.
Messer Street, E-8, L-2, Battalion 2
The Screaming Eagles
The station may be old and falling apart, not the firefighters. Well, they are old, but definitely not falling apart. The guys from Engine 10 join the effort as the patient is given oxygen, an IV established, vital signs assessed and kept safe from further injury.
I arrived on scene five minutes later to find a patient with an IV , vital signs taken and his breathing being assisted with a bag valve device. More family members arrive, some panicking, others trying to help. The firefighters kept things under control while we put the little guy in a cervical collar and immobilize him the best we could considering the seizure activity.
Joe and Paul from the 10′s continued patient care leaving me free to form a cohesive narrative to relay to the ER staff at Hasbro Children’s Hospital. Having competent people in every neighborhood in the city in times of emergency is vital.
Mt. Pleasant Avenue, E-15
Brook Street, E-9, L-8
Enroute to the ER I alerted the medical team.
Humbolt Ave, E-5
“This is Providence Rescue 1, I have a three year old male, unconscious, assisting ventilations at this time, actively seizing following a blow to the head, 148/110 heart rate of 140, blood glucose 110. Patient bumped heads with his coisin approximately twenty minutes ago, ETA three minutes.”
We arrived at the ER and went directly to the Trauma Room where all the necessary people waited. I told the story again and backed out.
The boy was admitted that night and held for observation. His family stayed by his side the entire time.
These old places may be falling apart but there is a lot of heart in each and every one of them. And to the people who need us, there is no better place on earth.
Allens Avenue, R-1, E-13
The Wharf Rats
Washington Street, E-3, L-1, Special Hazards and R-4
Hartford Avenue, E-6, R-2
Admiral Street, E-12, L-3
I guess you could say I’m a fan of fire department based EMS. If only we had five more rescues, things would be perfect. Almost.
