The phone rings while I'm immersed in discussion with one of the field Captains. A man is asking for help with an elevator. I get all manner of complaint calls, so this one is a welcome change.
Medical Expert (ME) - "Sure I can help you"
Stair Phobic (SP) - "Yes, I need a copy of your stair ordinance that says how tall a building has to be before it gets an elevator."
ME - "Well, that sounds more like a building code question, have you been to City hall?"
SP - "Yes, but specifically I need to know where it says that you have to have an elevator for the paramedics."
ME - "That would be a lovely addition to the building code, but currently no such statute exists. Why do you ask?"
SP - "Our elevator has been out of service for weeks and the building owner is taking too long getting it fixed, so I thought I'd remind him that the Paramedics will need it if anyone gets hurt."
ME - "If you're on the 30th floor and get hurt and the elevator is broken, we'll get to you and get you out if we need to, elevator or no."
SP - "But where does it say that?"
ME - "That's just what we do."
SP - "Do you train your people that?"
ME - "Of course."
Medical Expert (ME) - "Sure I can help you"
Stair Phobic (SP) - "Yes, I need a copy of your stair ordinance that says how tall a building has to be before it gets an elevator."
ME - "Well, that sounds more like a building code question, have you been to City hall?"
SP - "Yes, but specifically I need to know where it says that you have to have an elevator for the paramedics."
ME - "That would be a lovely addition to the building code, but currently no such statute exists. Why do you ask?"
SP - "Our elevator has been out of service for weeks and the building owner is taking too long getting it fixed, so I thought I'd remind him that the Paramedics will need it if anyone gets hurt."
ME - "If you're on the 30th floor and get hurt and the elevator is broken, we'll get to you and get you out if we need to, elevator or no."
SP - "But where does it say that?"
ME - "That's just what we do."
SP - "Do you train your people that?"
ME - "Of course."
Comments
There's an amazing amount of (non-clinical in particular) stuff we "just do" because that's what has to be done to get the job done.