JM's Rant 'O the Day: 911 Emergency Service

[JM]

This morning I was walking to my car on the next block and I saw an elderly woman sitting on the sidewalk. Other people were walking right past her, so I though at first she may have just dropped her purse. I soon saw her trying to pull herself up on the chain link fence next to her.

I asked if she was OK, if she need help, or needed me to call anyone. She could barely speak, breathe, or walk. She managed to tell me she was trying to take the bus to her doctor. I told her I really thought she should be checked out by EMS. I called my wife (she is a health care professional) and she came running, at which point I called 911.

Granted I was on a cell phone, so my location wasn't known, but I had to give the the 911 operator the exact address no fewer than 3 times, the cross streets on either side at least once, repeated the street name and spelled it, and told the operator what block I was on at least once.

Thankfully the woman caught her breath and my wife helped her bandage her cuts, but if this were a cardiac emergency, I doubt she would have lived. She refused treatment so we cancelled the call, but in all, I would be surprised if I spent less than 5 minutes on the call to 911 and I never heard the EMS siren despite the Firehouse being 6 blocks away, so 5 minutes in, they hadn't even rolled.

1) How people can just walk by an elderly woman sitting on the sidewalk and not even ask if she is OK appals me. People now are in such a rush to get to work that heaven help them if they slow down or try to help someone. WHAT THE F*CK IS THE MATTER WITH PEOPLE????

2) How EMS can't seem to write or type a number down is beyond me

3) How they couldn't find an address on a map despite me giving the exact location no fewer than 3 times is beyond me. I am suspecting there is a problem with the GIS system. Either it was down when I called, or the address I was giving was not on the map. THis has happened before.

</RANT>

JM

[htuttle]

1. Hit me!

Going, going, gone
Now I dialed 911 a long time ago
Don't you see how late they're reactin'
They only come and they come when they wanna
So get the morgue embalm the goner
They don't care 'cause they stay paid anyway
They teach ya like an ace they can't be betrayed
I know you stumble with no use people
If your life is on the line they you're dead today
Late comings with the late comin' stretcher
That's a body bag in disguise y'all betcha
I call 'em body snatchers quick they come to fetch ya?
With an autopsy ambulance just to dissect ya
They are the kings 'cause they swing amputation
Lose your arms, your legs to them it's compilation
I can prove it to you watch the rotation
It all adds up to a funky situation
So get up get, get get down
911 is a joke in yo town
Get up, get, get, get down
Late 911 wears the late crown

911 is a joke


Everyday they don't never come correct
You can ask my man right here with the broken neck
He's a witness to the job never bein' done
He would've been in full in 8 9-11
Was a joke 'cause they always jokin'
They the token to your life when it's croakin'
They need to be in a pawn shop on a
911 is a joke we don't want 'em
I call a cab 'cause a cab will come quicker
The doctors huddle up and call a flea flicker
The reason that I say that 'cause they
Flick you off like fleas
They be laughin' at ya while you're crawlin' on your knees
And to the strength so go the length
Thinkin' you are first when you really are tenth
You better wake up and smell the real flavor
Cause 911 is a fake life saver

So get up, get, get get down
911 is a joke in yo town
Get up, get, get, get down
Late 911 wears the late crown

Ow, ow 911 is a joke
-- "911 is a Joke", Public Enemy

[AmyDeLune]

2. A few weeks ago

I saw a woman in a wheelchair on a street corner. As I approached, I could see that she was trying to get the attention of passers by. She had trouble speaking, she would manage to get out "Excuse Me...!" before whoever was passing gave her a glance and then pretended to neither see or hear her.

I went over to her asked what she needed. All she wanted was someone to walk across the street with her just in case she should happen to get stuck in the Lightrail (electric trolly) tracks. It took all of three minutes.

I was the only one who stopped to help. :( I don't know what's wrong with people either.

[Skittles]

3. I do not know what the f*** is wrong with people

I see sh** on the news every day that makes me feel sick. We had an incident around here where a guy got tired of a dog barking so he duct-taped his mouth shut - in August in Texas, no less. Of course, dogs don't sweat so they need to pant to live. The poor little chap died and the guy was charged with animal cruelty. It just boggles my mind; I cannot figure out what is wrong with people - A LOT OF PEOPLE - either.