By
Disclaimer: I don't own the guys from Emergency so please don't sue me. I promise to put them back in one piece when I'm done with them.
Before I give you my version of the shift so far, let me give you my comments on what Roy wrote. Pally, you would make a great Dodger. I saw the joy on your face on the field tonight. I guarantee you, if this happens for you, I'll be in the stands loud and proud. GO BIG BLUE!!
With that said, let me tell you my version of yesterday. Sit back, relax and enjoy.
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I got to work just in the nick of time and was promptly greeted by a
water bomb from Chester B. Kelly, also known around here as the Phantom. Luckily, he got me before I changed into my uniform this time.
The shift was quiet in the beginning, never a good thing. True to form,
the joint started jumping just after lunch. Thankfully, Mike had just
made an amazing lunch so getting me to eat was not a problem. That first call is what stuck with me through the day. It is also what my dreams focused on tonight.
The tones rang out loudly. Seconds later we heard dispatcher Sam Lanier's voice. “Squad 51, man down, Carson Community College 1653 College Drive. Meet the informant at the intersection of College and Third Street. That's 1-6-5-3 College Drive, cross street Third Street. Time out 12:05.”
Roy and I sprinted out of the day room as soon as dispatch said Squad
51. I slid through the bay, not worrying about the bay door since it was already open because of the pretty weather. I jumped into the passenger's side as Roy got behind the wheel.
Automatically, I pulled out my green pen and the small log book we keep in the squad's glove compartment. Seconds after Roy and I got in, Cap ran over with the call slip. Roy handed me the slip and we were off with lights and sirens blaring.
The wheels in our minds were spinning. There were so many things we could be getting into, “Pally, this one feels strange.”
“To me too, Junior. I wish we knew where exactly the man was to Narrow things down.”
Finally the light bulb went off in my mind, “I know. Lemme call dispatch and see if they have any more information.”
“Worth a shot.”
I picked up the radio. “LA, squad 51.”
“Go ahead 51.”
“LA, is there any other information on our man down call at Carson Community College?”
“Negative 51.”
“Ten-four LA, squad 51 out.”
“LA clear KMG 491.”
I let out a frustrated sigh as I put the radio back. Roy read my mind, “Going in blind. Oh so much fun.”
We fell silent, both of us focused, mentally ready for any of a
countless number of situations. We didn't have long to think as just three minutes after receiving the call, we pulled up to the front of the admin office of the college.
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Out of nowhere, a guy came running up to the squad on my side. The man spoke rapidly and urgently, “You got to hurry guys.”
I heard the urgency in the man's voice and knew I had to keep my voice calm although my pulse had just picked up, “Sir, what's wrong?”
With the same urgency in his voice the man answered, “I'm the track coach here. One of my kids was doing some sprint work and just crumpled to the ground. We haven't moved him.”
That was all I needed to hear, “Get in!”
I quickly slid over to the middle and let the coach into the squad.
With the coach on board, we took off again, lights and sirens still going.
Not knowing if we were racing the clock I started with my usual questions, “Does the runner have a history of health problems?”
“No sir.”
“Exactly what was he doing when he went down?”
“Transitioning from a dead sprint to his cool down.”
One thought crossed my mind that I spoke, “Hamstring?”
The coach shook his head sadly, “That's my guess.”
I started thinking...“It isn't a guess coach, I know. I've seen careers come to an end long before they should have because of that.”
It was time to walk a fine line of understanding runner and paramedic as I continued my questions, “How old is your runner?”
“Twenty-two. No medical history. He's our top runner, his name is Adam.”
Before I could get any more information, Roy pulled up next to Adam.
The coach and I quickly got out. As I pulled the splint and IV boxes out, I heard Roy request an ambulance. I left the compartments open so Roy could get the oxygen and biophone. Time to go to work!
It was only a matter of strides before I was at Adam's side. Kudos on the parking job, Pally!
I quickly put the stuff down. ”Hi Adam, my name is Johnny.”
Adam's voice was low because of the pain, “Hi Johnny.”
“What happened?”
Adam's face started to reflect the pain he was in, “I was going to run a cool down after I did my heat in the mile, which I finished in a dead sprint. I made it about four steps and felt a twinge. Two more steps and I felt it pop. I fell forward and landed here.”
Just as Adam finished telling me what happened, Roy set the biophone up. He turned to Adam, “Hi Adam, my name is Roy.”
Pain still laced Adam's voice, “Hi Roy.”
“I heard what you told Johnny. I'm gonna contact the hospital.”
Adam took a deep breath before he answered, “Okay.”
“Adam, I'm gonna take your vital signs and then look at your leg.”
Adam seemed to relax just a bit, “Okay Johnny.” A thought popped into my head “Thank god he is so willing to cooperate with us. If what I think happened actually did, he is in for a rough time.”
I took his vital signs, wrote them down and gave them to Roy. They were a bit on the high side of normal, but considering the circumstances, it was to be expected. “Adam, don't worry about anything. Just relax as much as you can. Let me do all the work.”
Adam was more then willing to go along with that idea, “Okay Johnny.”
I moved to Adam's legs and quickly saw the trouble. It was even worse then I would have thought. It appeared there was a definite tear and a possible detachment of the muscle. At this point, I was glad Adam could not see the fear in my face.
I looked up at Roy, knowing full well he could see it. He quickly said into the biophone, “Stand by for additional information, Rampart.” Without waiting for a reply Roy put the biophone down and came over to me. I could tell he was as stunned by the extent of the damage as I was. It took us both a minute before we regained our professionalism so we could get back to work. Roy had to update Rampart.
I had the inevitable task of telling Adam what happened. Ya know I really hate this job sometimes!! I moved back up to Adam's head. Before I could say a word an extremely nervous Adam asked, “What's the damage?”
His cut to the chase question didn't surprise me, “It's pretty extensive, Adam. You definitely tore it.” The stunned look on Adam's face made the worst of the damage much more difficult to report. “You may have also detached it.”
As I expected, Adam's stunned look turned to one of anger. “What??? Ah hell my career.”
Thinking once again to myself, I realized it was time for the understanding runner to make an appearance, “Easy Adam, I know it sucks man.”
Understandably, Adam was extremely frustrated, “No offense Johnny, but how would you know?”
Man, this kid makes things hard. “Listen Adam, I do know, I promise you. I've been straight with you so far haven't I?”
Adam realized I was right. “Yeah.”
“I was a runner just like you.”
Maybe it was the tone of my voice or the honesty in my eyes, but
something told me Adam believed me. I knew I was going to have some explaining to do to Roy later.
Adam was slightly stunned, “You were?”
I gave him my famous lop-sided grin. “Three time state high school champ each in the 100, half, and the mile. Would have been four, but I missed state by seconds my freshman year.”
I heard Roy repeat back our orders and knew I was about to have two
very interested audience members. “Adam, I'll tell you more as Roy and I work on you.”
By now, Adam was extremely interested, “Okay Johnny.”
I looked up at Roy. “Brackett said brace it as best as we can, transport him on his stomach, and get him in there ASAP.”
“Alright here we go, Adam. Just relax as you did earlier.”
Adam was semi-relaxed as well could be in the situation, Make ya a deal Johnny.” This caught my ear.
“Okay?”
“You tell me more about your running days and I'll do my best to stay relaxed.” That was a deal I didn't mind making.
“Fair enough.”
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I helped get the splint in place. Then started my story again, “While I ran, I was student trainer in the off season. That's how I decided to become a firefighter. Anyway, my senior year I was blowing everybody outta the water. I set, smashed and reset too many records to remember.”
Adam stopped me there for a second, “That's me this year.” Suddenly his current situation caught up to Adam. “Will I be able to run again, Johnny?”
Adam's simple question tore at my heart strings. As a runner, I wanted to say yes without a doubt. As a paramedic I knew I had to be honest with him. Roy and I shared a quick glance before I turned back to Adam.
I know Roy saw the pain my eyes. “Adam, I am not going to lie you. It's going to truly depend on the extent of your injury.”
Adam looked me square in the eye, “You ever been hurt when you were running?” Roy and I had to fight back chuckles. Have I been injured? Hmm where to start that list, yikes!!
Turning serious again I looked at Adam, “To be honest Adam, not when I was running.” I saw Adam starting to become distraught again and quickly continued. “However, I have had to fight my back from some serious injuries from my current job, to my legs, chest, head, burns and smoke. They all come with the nature of the job, much like leg injuries walk hand in hand with being a runner.”
Adam was interested. “How do you come back with such a good attitude?”
“A lot of blood, sweat and tears. A lot of good friends to keep me up when I'm down. The best medical team in the county and stubborn physical therapists who didn't take “I can't” as an answer.”
Before I could continue the ambulance pulled up. As I was talking, Roy and I packaged Adam for transport. “Adam, lets get you loaded then I'll continue.”
By then Adam was fairly calm, “Okay Johnny.”
Adam's coach had stayed quiet and out of the way. Now he spoke up, “Where are you taking him?”
Roy answered him, “Rampart General.”
“Okay.”
Adam looked up at his coach with a determined look on his face. “I'll deal with this. You guys finish practice.” I had to smile as I listened to Adam talk to his coach. How many times had I said something along those lines to various people?
The coach replied, “Alright Adam, if you say so. We'll be by as soon as we're done.”
“Okay coach.”
With the utmost care, Roy and I loaded Adam onto the stretcher. I strapped him down as Roy started to clean up. With the help of the attendants, we got Adam over and into the ambulance. Roy followed me to get the doors. Before I climbed in, Roy clapped me on the shoulder as if to say “hang in there, partner”. I flashed him a quick look to say ‘I'll do my best' and climbed in. Satisfied that Adam and I were good and secure, Roy slammed the doors and gave them the customary two thumps.
As the ambulance took off, I turned my attention back to Adam.
Before I could say anything he beat me to it. “Johnny?”
“Yes?”
“Do you still run?”
I took a quick breath, “Honestly, yes and no. When I'm not on duty, I run a bit for pleasure. On duty a lot of times I end up doing some serious speed on scene. Sadly though, I haven't been able to run competitively since I was in high school.”
“Why? I mean you seem to be in great shape. I can hear it in your voice and see it in your eyes, a piece of your heart still belongs on the track.”
I took a quick breath. Adam had hit the proverbial nail on the head. “You're right, Adam it does. I would love to run competitively again, I can't lie to you. Who would even consider looking at a twenty-seven year old guy who hasn't even run competitively in nine years?”
Before Adam can answer we arrived at Rampart, effectively ending our
conversation. Damn!
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Welcome back to the present. Little did I know I would be still trying to answer Adam's final question as I tried, haha, to sleep tonight. I won't bore you with anymore details from the day. Let me just skip to the main reason I am still up at the ungodly hour of 0315, my dream.
Cap called lights out a bit earlier then usual tonight. Both the engine and the squad had been running almost non-stop since lunch. Roy and I worked the game tonight to boot, so, needless to say, we were all exhausted. I have to thank Mike again for the chicken yesterday.
Anyway, before my over tired mind wanders anymore, lemme see if I can get this thing on paper.
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It started almost as soon as I shut my eyes and threw my arm over my face. I mean it was literally a minute and then it started.
My eyes open again. I am not in the dorm surround by the guys anymore.
Okay this is strange. I am on the track again. Huh what's going on?
This wasn't Big Bear. I look around and realize I am in LA.
Okay, I was down in LA City at the Coliseum, it's the US Nationals. We're competing for spots on the Olympic team.
Hey it's my dream so no comments from the peanut gallery.
I heard my heat called for the 100. Next thing I know, I've won it. As excited as I am about that win, I know I can't celebrate for long. I have two other races today. The half mile is next. With a quiet confidence I easily won again. Two down, one to go.
The mile is the last hurdle I have to get over to have three races at the Olympics. As I lined up for my last race of the day, I heard five familiar voices above the crowd shouting encouragement to me. I didn't have to look up to know exactly who the voices belong to. They are the voices of my shift mates, otherwise known as A shift.
I lined up, get in position and take off at the starter's pistol.
Knowing I have to conserve my energy for the end, I fall into a pacing mode. As I picked up my pace in the race. I suddenly feel chilly.
I kicked all the blankets and the sheet off my bunk.
Shaking off the sudden change in temperature I refocus on the race. I
picked up my pace a little more with each lap. As I cross the finish line, I woke up with a cake eating grin on my face. I'm an Olympian in three distances!!!
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As I woke up more, my present surroundings greeted me. The rhythmic sleep patterns of my sleeping shift mates usually lull me back to sleep. Not this time, so I slipped into my bunkers and made my way out here. Now my eyelids are fighting me, time to go find my bed again.
Good night all.
Johnny R. Gage