Tough couple of days at work !

[firefighter3931]

Sometimes i hate my job, not so much the job itself but the khaos that comes with it. Early tuesday morning (2am) we got called out for a motor vehicle accident at one of this city's worst intersections. The scene was one of devestation and carnage with parts scattered all over the place, a real mess. Inside the SUV were 5 young people all of whom were unconcious. The scene was chaotic with Police and EMS staff frantically trying to free the occupants but the doors were all crushed from the impact and would not open. We immediately realized that this was going to be a complicated extracation and began stabalizing the vehicle while settin up the extrication tools (jaws/cutters) and sprang into high gear. After the front passenger was extricated i crawled inside the mangled cab and began performing CPR on the driver who was trapped and unconscious in the driver seat while the other crew members were cutting the side of the truck apart to gain access. In less than 10 minutes we had him out and on a stretcher where CPR and advanced pre-hospital care continued but unfortuately he didn't make it. Two of the other female occupants suffered the same fate while one male and one female went to hospital and should recover.

This was one of the toughest calls i've been on and the loss of life for these kids is just tragic. We managed to save two but three were lost....it just doesn't seem fair. I really feel for the friends and family of these young people who were just getting their lives started and were attending university while getting ready for the big game of life which ended way too soon for them. 


http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/features/riverside/index.html



Wednesday night we were on our way to a debriefing to discuss the tragedy from the previous nightshift and got a call for alarms in an apartment building in our district. Upon arrival to the second floor we discovered a corridor full of smoke...not good. Just by luck we managed to locate the apartment and found it to be fully involved in the kitchen area. The occupant's smoke detector was not working which made locating the origin of the fire extremely difficult....with Zero visiblity the only thing we really have to work with is the sound of an activated detector....which wasn't working. 

We managed to knock the fire down quickly and began ventilating the apt. then discovered that the occupant was still inside. A crew immediately carried him to the lobby and began CPR and Ventilations while the rest of us continued to overhaul the apartment to look for for extnsion and fully extinguish the fire which was still burning inside the walls & ceiling. Luckily, the occupant survived and is in hospital recovering from severe smoke inhalation. That was a huge relief because after losing those 3 kids the night before this would have been too much. Lets just say that he had an angel watching over him last night and by the grace of god is still alive. 


http://www.ottawasun.com/News/OttawaAndRegion/2008/01/24/4791060.html


So, in 2 nights, we lost three and saved three....not the greatest average but we'll take it. It's at times like these that we need to appreciate what we have and not sweat the small things in life. Trust me, things could allways be worse....i was first in on both of these incidents and i won't soon forget either.

If anything can be learned from all this tragedy it's that we need to be smart and be diligent about our own personal safety. Pay attention when you're driving and make sure you have working smoke detectors at home. Don't take any chances because more often than not you won't get a second chance....


Thanks for listening,


Ron

[Brock Samson]

  Thank You Ron.

[71ChallengeHer]

I really admire what you do. If it wouldn't have been for the EMT's and firefighters at the accident I was in. I wouldn't be here today. The Doc's told be the " golden hour "of treatment I received at the accident. While I was trapped in the car. Those men and women saved my life. So , please try not to get to down. You do a lot of good for a lot of people. 

[tan top]

you lost 3 you say thats a tragic ,but you guys tried your best to save ...........if it weren't for guys like you there would be a whole lot  more fatality's

[bull]

Wow. That's a lot to deal with. I know emergency workers have a lot of work-related stress and talking about it helps a lot. It's too bad about those kids but you can only do what you can do. Most of all it sounds like the city needs to do something about that intersection.

[Lowprofile]

Thanks to you and your crew Ron. Somedays are better than others Bro. Ya can't save them all, but like you showed us, you can try like hell!

My prayers are with the families of the lost souls & with your crew. 
1st responders are true heroes who do it everyday with little or no credit. 

[Shakey]

My God Ron - I don't know how you do it!  I do know that you should feel proud of yourself for at least trying and doing something that many couldn't. 

Here's to you and all of Ottawa's finest.

[mikesbbody]

that must be so tough having to deal with that my hat's off to you! just know you are appreciated for what you do  (your work, and all the good advice here at DC) 

[Back N Black]

That is tragic, i know that intersection well and it can be scary at the best of times. My hat is off to you and you crew.

[NYCMille]

Ron I can't begin to imagine what you see and what you go through on your job. I truly hope however that you understand how much you are appreciated for doing what you do - God Bless man and thank you. 

[70charginglizard]

Thanks so much Ron for being out there for all of us.

We all appreciate it very VERY much. 

[69bronzeT5]

I really admire you Ron. I cant imagine me doing that job, if somebody lost their life (like in the SUV crash), I'd be devestated. You have alot of courage

[General_01]

Just wanted you to keep in mind that you SAVED three people. We are all thankful for people like you putting it on the line to save others. Thank you very much Ron.

[The70RT]

Wow Ron. Hang in there............God Bless.

[TruckDriver]

Ron, it is people like you, and people that do your kind of work, that are the real heros of the world. I know it has to be hard. My thoughts are with you. Stay strong brother. 

[rare69]

A BIG THANK"S RON! and everybody els that saves lives for a living.

[Mefirst]

Right now I'm at work. I have 3 patients in my care. One is an 21 year old girl, suicide attempt. Second is a 25 year old male, intoxication by drugs, alcohol and meds. Third one is a 56 year old male that at arrival had a blood sugar level that was so high our tester couldn't even measure it...

Some nights suck major, other nights, well don't suck as much as the one before... But I would NOT trade into any other profession... I work as an ICU Nurse....

/Tom

[Magnumcharger]

Good work ! to all of you out there looking out for the masses!!
Your efforts are appreciated!!

[Rack]

Sorry to hear about the lives lost, Ron. But w/o you guys getting in there and doing your jobs, 6 people would have died instead of 3.


Good job, Ron. And remember, you didn't lose 3 lives, you saved 3 lives.

[Arthu®]

As the grandson of a grandfather who was in the Rotterdam fire department from the age of 17 to 60 first as a firefighter and later on as commander, I have the upmost respect for your job. I know my grandfather would have liked me to pursue the same carreer, but I honestly don't think that I could deal with all the tragedy. My hat is off to you and the other members of fire departments around the world, that save and try to save lives every minute of the day. On the latest events you have to keep in mind that you saved 3 lives, whose, if you would not have been there, would have been lost as well. I know that must very hard to keep in mind, as you are probably thinking about the ones you didn't save. Stay strong.

Arthur

[Dans 68]

Ron,

Sounds like you do good work at whatever you do. My Dad was a fireman in San Francisco for decades, and I used to hear stories like yours regularly...it does not get any easier with time but  remember all the good that you do. If it were not for people like you we would be in a world of hurt. Thank you.

Dan

[8WHEELER]

I personally want to thank you Ron, and all others that perform the service as you do like the police.

I have tossed my self out of my wheel chair about four times in the last 22yrs. I am not able to get back in
it by myself, and I am no little guy. One time was about 2:30am, I had to call the local 911, my wife would
not call to embarrassed    so I tell them PLEASE no lights or sirens, I am not hurt. Of coarse one of your
fellow fire fighters, a total of four, were there in just minutes. They are half dressed because they knew
it was no emergency. You could also see two of them were still not totally awake    
Anyway, they asked me what was the best way of getting me back in the wheelchair, I told them just one
guy under each shoulder, and one to lift my legs a little. They were kind of afraid they were going to hurt me 
I told them not to worry, if I can take on 300 plus pound defensive lineman, this is nothing. Two seconds later I am
in my chair, and they are asking are you sure you are OK? is that it? by this time they could tell I was just a good old boy like
them, and we were starting to have a good time. We BS't and had a good time for about another 15min, before
they figured they better get back. I am always imbarassed to call when I have problems, but I always have a great time
with the EMS teams that I come in contact with, AND THANK GOD FOR THEM   

PS..That last time I tossed myself out of my chair at 2:30am, all I way doing was leaning way back, throwing the back
door shut letting  the dogs in, was leaning back to far, and shut the door to fast and whooooops booom, over I went   
the dogs loved it, my face is only that clean when I am on the ground   

Keep up the good work Ron, we are all in dept to you and all of the other people that perform the services like you Bud   

Dan

[TheGhost]

Damn, Ron.  Not a job I'd be able to handle, that's for sure.



If we ever meet up at a carshow or some other event, I'll buy you a beer.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Thanks Ron & your crew for all the service you provide.  Glad to hear you're OK as well

[Plumcrazy]

This prayer knows no national boundries. 


When I'm called to duty God
wherever flames may rage
give me strength to save a life
whatever be its age


Help me to embrace a little child
before it is too late
or save an older person from
the horror of that fate


Enable me to be alert
to hear the weakest shout
and quickly and efficiently
to put the fire out


I want to fill my calling and
to give the best in me
to guard my neighbor and
protect his property


And if according to your will
I have to lose my life
bless with your protecting hand
my children and my wife

[Charger_Fan]

I can't add much that hasn't already been said, except to thank you & the folks like you for doing the job you do!

Glad you're who you are.

[firefighter3931]

Thanks for the kind words of support and understanding.....it is appreciated more than you know 

I personally want to thank you Ron, and all others that perform the service as you do like the police.

I have tossed my self out of my wheel chair about four times in the last 22yrs. I am not able to get back in
it by myself, and I am no little guy. One time was about 2:30am, I had to call the local 911, my wife would
not call to embarrassed so I tell them PLEASE no lights or sirens, I am not hurt. Of coarse one of your
fellow fire fighters, a total of four, were there in just minutes. They are half dressed because they knew
it was no emergency. You could also see two of them were still not totally awake
Anyway, they asked me what was the best way of getting me back in the wheelchair, I told them just one
guy under each shoulder, and one to lift my legs a little. They were kind of afraid they were going to hurt me
I told them not to worry, if I can take on 300 plus pound defensive lineman, this is nothing. Two seconds later I am
in my chair, and they are asking are you sure you are OK? is that it? by this time they could tell I was just a good old boy like
them, and we were starting to have a good time. We BS't and had a good time for about another 15min, before
they figured they better get back. I am always imbarassed to call when I have problems, but I always have a great time
with the EMS teams that I come in contact with, AND THANK GOD FOR THEM

Keep up the good work Ron, we are all in dept to you and all of the other people that perform the services like you Bud

Dan

Dan, your story brought a smile to my face.....i've been to many calls just like yours. It's funny because the individual needing help & assistance often feels embarrassed because we were called out to help them. Trust me when i say we have no  problem doing these types of tasks....these are the calls we look  forward to. It also gives us the chance to meet some pretty cool people that we would not normally have the opportunity to come across.  I have met a few people that i helped with a "heavy lift" afterwards ; one on the street and another in a mall and both immediately recognized me and made a point to thank me. These are the parts of the job that i like. 

Right now I'm at work. I have 3 patients in my care. One is an 21 year old girl, suicide attempt. Second is a 25 year old male, intoxication by drugs, alcohol and meds. Third one is a 56 year old male that at arrival had a blood sugar level that was so high our tester couldn't even measure it...

Some nights suck major, other nights, well don't suck as much as the one before... But I would NOT trade into any other profession... I work as an ICU Nurse....

/Tom

Tom, my hat's off to ya Brother.....you guys/gals are the unsung heroes of the medical world ! 

Ron,

Sounds like you do good work at whatever you do. My Dad was a fireman in San Francisco for decades, and I used to hear stories like yours regularly...it does not get any easier with time but remember all the good that you do. If it were not for people like you we would be in a world of hurt. Thank you.

Dan

Dan, your dad has my admiration and deepest repect. Anybody that survives this job for decades is one tough hombre ! 

This prayer knows no national boundries. 


When I'm called to duty God
wherever flames may rage
give me strength to save a life
whatever be its age


Help me to embrace a little child
before it is too late
or save an older person from
the horror of that fate


Enable me to be alert
to hear the weakest shout
and quickly and efficiently
to put the fire out


I want to fill my calling and
to give the best in me
to guard my neighbor and
protect his property


And if according to your will
I have to lose my life
bless with your protecting hand
my children and my wife

Paul, thanks for posting the Fireman's poem....it's been a while since i read it. Too long actually. 



I want to again thank all those who posted. It really has helped to brighten things up for me and the fact that i finally got more than 2 hrs sleep in the last 3 days makes for a less cranky firefighter. 



Ron

[Charger-Bodie]

All I can say Ron, Is You and the others out there risking youre life to save others Qualify as HERO in my book 

[RECHRGD]

Ron, Your job is something that few people have the stomach or courage to do.  The fact that you save lives should overshadow the ones that you can't.  Thank you for what you do.   Bob

[19Charger68]

Ron, I very much concur with everything that has been said.  You and your crew, nurses, doctors, law enforcement all have my respect- in fact, I stand in awe you and other service providers that do such important, and at times, unappreciated work.  I could not do any of those jobs - I am so happy that there are good people like you that can!  Thank you!!!!

[472 R/T SE]

Damn dude, sorry it's been so hectic.  Thank you from the NW, the emergency personnel profession is a thankless job at times I imagine.  You folks have saved me a couple times now and I always want to go to the coast to apologize & thank the female EMT that came out on the sand dunes to rescue my ass.  I guess I said lots of bad words that I should be ashamed of.

Back in '97 I was oiling on a crane at the airport building the parking structure.  We were about done and someone started screaming, "It's comin' down!!"  I looked up and seen two iron workers tethered to iron running in midair as all the iron we had just put in place was coming down.  My operator jumped out of the crane about on top of me and we took off running.  We went back in after all the dust settled and we noticed an iron worker that was laying under a bunch of iron.  There were legs up behind him and we thought there were two laying there.  My operator jumped up in the crane to lift the iron off the iron worker and that's when we realized those legs were his and he was long gone.  I'll never forget all that blood.  Three burly bad ass iron workers from Seattle perished that afternoon.
Then in '00 or '01 we were dismantling a crane and one of my co workers knocked out a pin he wasn't supposed to and the butt section of a luffing jib came down on top of him.  I swear he looked like a pair of coveralls just laying on the ground.  We were next to the interstate so the EMT's were able to get him to the hospital right away and that saved his life according to the one I talked to.

After the airport incident my operator and I started drinking as our way of coping with the nightmares, etc.  My two recent incidents was all it took compared to your countless brushes with death.  My hat's off to you my friend and all your comrades for making the difference in this world that most want no part of.  You folks are a special breed and better people than I could ever be. 

[694spdRT]

I would like to thank Ron and all of the emergency responders, firefighters, etc. that risk their lives for the rest of us everyday.  I work with a volunteer Fire Chief and EMT and have heard similar stories to the one you have shared. I honestly don't know how I could handle some of the things you go through. Thanks again and take pride in the fact you do serve a great purpose in life and make a huge difference in the lives of many.   

[Dodge Don]

That was all over the news in Toronto....my first thought was my Sister who lives in Ottawa. Hell of a way to make a living Ron....but at least you make a difference. 

[400/6/PAC]

Ron
If it were not for Men and Women like you, There would be a lot more lost.
I don't know how You do it.
It takes one brave son-of-a-gun to do what You do.
The selflessness involved is amazing.
You may lose some and I could only imagine how hard that is for You after working so hard to save them.
Always remember the ones You did save, Had it not been for You, They wouldn't be here.
Keep on keeping on because People like Me would be lost without People like You.

[resq302]

Ron,

You know the profession I am in also, only on a volunteer type status.  Professionally I am a communications officer for a police dept.  As a communications officer, I not only answer 911 but send police, fire, ems, and medics to various calls, some of which were like you described.  If I had a choice, I would be a professional fireman hands down any day compared to the work I am doing now.  It is the best job in the world I think, at least it would be for me.  In our profession, we tend to see the worst calls imaginable.  With my fire dept, I have responded to a 10 year old boy who drowned and we found him the next day, seen burned bodies, seriously injured people that we have had to use the Jaws of Life to extricate from mangled cars, and other horrific incidents.  As a communications officer, I sometimes feel helpless as I can only tell them what to do until police, fire, ems or whatever type or service it is that arrives.  Probably the second to worst call I had here at work was when there was an armed robbery at a food store and people were held hostage inside the freezer.  Luckily no one was harmed or injured and everyone made it out ok with a scare.  The worst call I have ever had to do was to give CPR over the 911 phone for a mother and father whose 3 year old son had stopped breathing.  If you want to talk about being scared and trying to do your job professionally and calmly, this was one for the books.  Thankfully, the boy started breathing as the police arrived.  The minutes literally seemed like hours going by.  At the end of the day, only one thing matters..... everyone in your crew goes home alive!  Granted, the profession we have chose certainly tests our sanity from time to time, but in the end, we have to remember that if it were not for people like us, some people would not have a second chance at live.

So here's to you brother

[TeeWJay426]

Kudos to you Ron... as you know, I'm on my town's department- it's a small town and department, volunteers, but we have out tough moments also. Dealing with the volume of activity in a city like Ottawa has to be mind-boggling. Like others said, you guys have to look at it from the point of view of making three saves- you made a difference to them!

[2Gunz]

I have a bad habit of stopping for freeway accidents.

I pulled a guy out of an overturned tanker on night on the way to Vegas.

He was mostly unhurt, just trapped and not strong enough to open the door.

Funny thing is 20 other people where already there but to chicken to help,
because the truck "was going to blow up".  Fing Hollywood heh.


Another time I got to helplessly watch a 18 year old girl die as we tried to keep her warm.

She didnt die at the scene, but I suspect she didnt live. She had grey stuff coming out of her
nose. Which I think is a sign of brain trama.  Never found out what happened and thats the worst
part. But at least I tired to help, and thats what matters.



Dont keep score.

If you only save 1 out of 100 thats more than most people have the balls and self sacrifice for.