One of the more vague complaints asiode from "I have a headache" or "I feel tired." We were dispatched to a very busy section of the financial district around 9 AM as we were already overdue for shift change. the call came from a pay phone, telling us it was likely of of the area's homeless, since they're the only ones without cellphones and the ones shop keepers don't allow to use the phone.
THE EMERGENCY
A male, self described as mid 30s has called 911 reporting abdominal pain and then hung up. We arrived at the busy intersection to find close to 300 commuters running from subway access stairs to buses and across the streets in all directions. we arrived at the intersection near the telephone and asked the communications division to call the phone back so our patient, who we assumed needed an ambulance, would answer. When the phone began to ring and noone moved towards it to answer, we got frustrated. We waited, ambulance in clear view for someone to approach us. When none of the busy folks came over to admit they called, I decided to use one of the many tools at my disposal, the public adress system. I grabbed the mic and said, "Attention please! If you called 911 from the pay phone because your tummy hurts, please approach the ambulance at this time." My driver looked at me with his municipal transit hat on, which he wore to protest this kind of run, and smiled. Every commuter in the street looked to us and broke into a smile if not laughter. When not a single person approached, I repeated my message and that was when we saw him stumble out of a nearby storefront.
THE ACTION
The gentleman approached the driver's window, which was up, and began to speak. My driver motioned him over to me, out of traffic and the man told me about how he hasn't eaten in days and is pretty sure he has "the AIDS" and needs a doctor. I asked him if he thinks his stomach pain has anything to do with not eating. "No" he replied quickly. "What do you want the doctors to do for you at the hospital?" I asked and he replied that he simply wanted something to eat and a quiet place to rest. I informed him that the cafeteria at the hospital is likely quiet as are a nnumber of local shops serving food. "But I have no money, can't you just give me a ride?" "We are not a taxi service sir, if you have an emergency we'd be happy to help but being hungry is not a life or death situation. How long have you been in town?" "2 days." You have a lot to learn about how things work here friend," I told him. He stepped back, rubbed his forehead and wandered slowly away and began pan handling for money. Haven't seen him since.
THE EMERGENCY
A male, self described as mid 30s has called 911 reporting abdominal pain and then hung up. We arrived at the busy intersection to find close to 300 commuters running from subway access stairs to buses and across the streets in all directions. we arrived at the intersection near the telephone and asked the communications division to call the phone back so our patient, who we assumed needed an ambulance, would answer. When the phone began to ring and noone moved towards it to answer, we got frustrated. We waited, ambulance in clear view for someone to approach us. When none of the busy folks came over to admit they called, I decided to use one of the many tools at my disposal, the public adress system. I grabbed the mic and said, "Attention please! If you called 911 from the pay phone because your tummy hurts, please approach the ambulance at this time." My driver looked at me with his municipal transit hat on, which he wore to protest this kind of run, and smiled. Every commuter in the street looked to us and broke into a smile if not laughter. When not a single person approached, I repeated my message and that was when we saw him stumble out of a nearby storefront.
THE ACTION
The gentleman approached the driver's window, which was up, and began to speak. My driver motioned him over to me, out of traffic and the man told me about how he hasn't eaten in days and is pretty sure he has "the AIDS" and needs a doctor. I asked him if he thinks his stomach pain has anything to do with not eating. "No" he replied quickly. "What do you want the doctors to do for you at the hospital?" I asked and he replied that he simply wanted something to eat and a quiet place to rest. I informed him that the cafeteria at the hospital is likely quiet as are a nnumber of local shops serving food. "But I have no money, can't you just give me a ride?" "We are not a taxi service sir, if you have an emergency we'd be happy to help but being hungry is not a life or death situation. How long have you been in town?" "2 days." You have a lot to learn about how things work here friend," I told him. He stepped back, rubbed his forehead and wandered slowly away and began pan handling for money. Haven't seen him since.
Comments