I know that all of you that have been in Law Enforcement for any length of time will understand where I am coming from in this post.
I handle a very large number of high priority calls that require me to run emergency equipment on a daily basis. The city that I live in has just over a million people, with a good portion of these fine folks driving vehicles.
I had a call tonight that required me to run lights and siren to assist Fire Rescue with someone that was laying on the ground bleeding. Not being an EMT I am limited in my abilities to render first aid, however I still want to get there in case I am needed.
I was running lights and siren and it seemed that nobody wanted to get out of my way, so I was of course extremely frustrated at everybody on the road. I must have had at least 10 people that were on cell phones, God knows how many had their radios blasting with “gangsta rap“. So needless to say I was furious by the time I got to the scene. The first thing that I saw was Fire Rescue doing chest compressions and rescue breathing for a gentleman that was riding his bike and fell off. The reason he fell was because of a Pace Maker malfunction that sent him into cardiac arrest. Rescue put him in the rescue unit and sped away, continuing life saving measures.
I’d love to ask the people that are so busy listening to loud music, talking on their cell phones, and just generally driving with their head up their #$$S- if your loved one was that gentleman in need of emergency care wouldn’t you want me as a first responder to get to your loved one so I could perform C.P.R. and hopefully save his or her life? If you can answer that with a resounding “Yes“ then do me a favor, GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR ASS AND PAY ATTENTION!
I’m Out And We’ll Talk Later!
About Me
- Kojak
- Florida, United States
- I have been a police officer in a major Florida city for the last 27 years. I was staring down the barrel of retirement and quite frankly it was pretty scary considering my wife of 7 years filed for a divorce in July of 07! I absolutely love my job and am looking forward to continuing this career in a smaller department that borders our city. I am blessed with three people in my life that have really stepped up to the plate and taken great care of me through this very difficult time. One of which got me into this whole blogging thing. I can honestly say that if it had not been for them I am not sure where I would be today. So, barring the divorce, I am a very happy man with some awesome people in my life. Well, that is just a little about me and what is going on in my world, so stand by and we will get to know each other. Hopefully I can provide some laughs in your world because believe me I have some serious venting, ranting and raving to do! As I say good bye I will quote one of the three mentioned above, a gentleman that I call my "dad", "We will talk later"!
Officer Down Memorial
5 comments:
I used to work in a small town, and when people did this to me I'd run their plate, get a quick look at their face as I passed them, and then go to their house and write them a ticket for failure to yield to an emergency vehicle whenever I was done with my hot call.
Now that I'm in a "real" city, I usually don't have time to do that. Sometimes I wish I did, though. If the paramedics are running to a call & they don't need our help, one of my friends has been known to follow them in the hopes of nabbing some asshole who won't get out of their way.
This topic will probably be the death of me. I’m quick to flip someone off or yell at them for not getting the hell out of the way when police, ambulances or fire trucks come screaming down the road. All I can think about is “What if they’re trying to get to dad because he needs help.” As I’m sure you’ve seen on these types of calls- seconds can mean life or death.
Hey Berserk. I have done that once, but I have felt like doing it a ton more here lately. I have a friend that follows them for that very reason. We had a big campaign about that in our department. We had bumper stickers on our cars, still didn't do any good. Do you have the move over law there ? Be Safe Bro .
Aza Hey hon, I know what your saying. It really makes me mad, as you can see. You have been with me when the guys next door to me leave, they blast their sirens and horns and they still don't move.
No move over law here, but we've been known to chase people down and get 'em for careless when there's a near-miss.
I was driving to work one day and a chick that was parked at the curb suddenly opened her driver's side door as I passed by. She was yakking on her cell phone and never saw me. I slammed on the brakes and laid on the horn, which you'd think that would startle the dead, but her mouth never broke stride. I would have screamed an obscenity out the window, but I doubt she would have even heard me.
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