Rescue 1 Responding: Chapter 24, a Book by Michael Morse
Michael Morse, Author
Rescue 1 Responding: Chapter 24, a Book by Michael Morse
I’m glad I took the time to document what happens during a typical tour on an advanced life support rig in Rhode Island’s capitol city. Looking back, I can hardly believe I lived it. But I did, and now you can too. Many thanks to GoLocalProv.com for publishing the chapters of my books on a weekly basis from now until they are through. I hope that people come away from the experience with a better understanding of what their first responders do, who they are and how we do our best to hold it all together,
Enjoy the ride, and stay safe!
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTCaptain Michael Morse (ret.)
Providence Fire Department
The book is available at local bookstores and can be found HERE.
Note from the Author
There are two worlds existing under one roof in the Providence Fire Department; one inhabited by those assigned to fire suppression units and one for the fortunate few assigned to EMS. Of the approximately 40,000 calls handled by the department 70% are for EMS. The city is woefully understaffed in the EMS division; currently seven ALS ambulances handle the call volume which results in the EMS units responding to an average of 5000 calls per year. We are still part of the fire department but live most of our working hours away from the station. Many of those assigned to the ambulances are there temporarily until they can find a spot on an engine or ladder company. A few make a career of the EMS division. I was one of the few.
The only regret that I have is losing the bond with my fellow firefighters. I was simply too tired to be much use at the station. In Chapter 24 Rescue 1 has a call with Special Hazards for a car that had overturned. The Captain of the Hazards, Doc, who I had always thought highly of but had never spoken to (in nearly 20 years) thanked me for writing an article that had appeared in the appeared in the paper that morning. I had mistakenly believed that nobody knew or cared very much about “The Rescue Blows.” With four hours to go on a thirty eight hour shift it was just what I needed to get me through the rest of it. Thanks “Doc.”
Chapter 24
0415 hrs (4:15 a.m.)
We back into the station. The tone hits. The overhead door closes, then rises.
“Rescue 1, Engine 11, Ladder 5, Special Hazards and Battalion 2, respond to 367 Reservoir Avenue for a reported tipover.”
“Rescue 1 on the way,” I say into the mike as we head out the door. A few minutes later Engine 11 comes over the radio and transmits their findings.
“Engine 11 to fire alarm, inform all companies we have a confirmed tipover, we’ll keep you informed.”
When there is a report of a tipover, which means a vehicle is on its side, or a rollover, which means a vehicle has gone completely over, a rescue, an engine, a ladder, Special Hazards and a chief officer are dispatched. Any number of things could go wrong, or already have on these calls, and the more manpower on scene, the better chance of helping the victims.
I put some protective gloves on as we close in. I hope nobody is hurt too badly. Ladder 5 and Battalion 2 arrive on scene at the same time we do. I can still hear the siren from Special Hazards wailing in the distance; they had the longest trip to the incident. Joe, the officer of Engine 11 has had time to investigate. He gets on the radio and gives an update.
“Engine 11, inform all companies that the vehicle is empty, we’re looking for victims.”
As we arrive on scene, I look around the immediate vicinity but don’t see anybody. If the occupants were thrown from the car their chances of survival diminish. The Hazards arrive and join the rest of us. We take a good look around the area and surmise that whoever crashed the car has managed to walk away. The car is resting on the passenger side and sits up against a utility pole. There is major damage to the vehicle. The person or persons in the car are lucky to have not been killed. This could be a stolen vehicle. Another possible scenario is a drunk driver cracked the car up then managed get out of the car and will call report the car stolen later. A worse possibility is the person involved has a head injury, or had a diabetic emergency prior to the crash and is wandering around somewhere critically injured. All of the companies who responded will keep their eyes open on their way back to their stations. Joe gets back on the radio.
“Engine 11 to fire alarm, put all companies back in service, victims have fled the scene. Inform police of the situation.”
Upon returning to the rescue I get a surprise. Doc, the officer in charge of Special Hazards is waiting there for me. I’ve been on the job for a long time, Doc twice as long. We have crossed paths numerous times. Up until this point in my career he has never said a word to me. I don’t think he has even looked in my direction. He has a reputation as a great firefighter and a no-nonsense officer but a terrible cook. It was my understanding that he views the rescue division with contempt, and the rescue officers more so. He looks right at me as I walk toward him.
“Are you the guy that wrote that article?” he asks.
“Uh, yea,” I respond like a moron.
Doc looks me in the eye and extends his hand. I take it and we shake.
“That was great,” he says, and then walks back to his truck.
“What was that all about?” asks Mike as I get in.
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” I say.
Doc’s compliment means a lot to me. I’m glad I wrote that article. I wish I hadn’t misjudged Doc.
“Engine 11 and Rescue 1 a still alarm.”
“Here we go again,” I say to Mike. We wait with Engine 11 to hear where we’ll be going and watch the other trucks head back to quarters. The night is moving along. I have less than four hours before my relief comes in.
