I sometimes wonder how the Belgian ambulances work so maybe somebody can put me straight.
Last week, a car hit a bollard as the driver tried to make a u-turn and ended up turning over completely, trapping the two people inside. I ran to the car along with several other people to see if I could help and was immediately asked to call an ambulance.
As the hospital was very close I expected to hear the sirens pretty quickly but no, I appeared to be engaged in a game of 20 questions. Realising that there must be quite a few hoax calls made, I presumed that the person at the end of the phone was simply getting details of the accident and then relaying them on to the paramedics that had already left the hospital. Questions such as the location, and what had actually happened were expected, but when I was asked if anybody was hurt, I began to think that somebody was taking the piss.
Finally, I think I was believed and as I left the scene where other do-gooders were helping out, I told them that I had called for an ambulance, and at last heard the sound of sirens approaching.
It reminded me of a time when I had to be rushed to be hospital here – I ended up in the back of a police car as the ambulance was taking so long.
My Good Deed of the Day was slightly squashed, I admit, but thankfully, nobody died.
Wonder Woman. Come to me and do your Good Deed.
19 Comments
You did good!
(We already figured you were Wonder Woman, what with the tiara and all.)
I must admit I do look at you and wonder myself sometimes…… and well done for cool calm action – I do a very good line in panicking and running round in small circles in similar circumstances ….
Once had similar experience, when man bicycling up a ridiculously steep hill suddently collapsed and fell from his bike while I was driving by – ambulance from time of call 45mins
Well done, Wonder Woman. I’m a bit like Daddy Papersurfer, except I don’t run around in circles, I get Very Impatient with the person on the other end.
I was badly hit by a car and some one offered to call a member of my family while waiting for the ambulance. I gave the direct line of my ex at work. Usely he’s never around but this time he answered and flew to my rescue. We were officially freshly divorced by one week but we changed our mind in the hospital and resumed a new life as a couple………………………..
Hilde, that is so romantic
Nice work…now all you need are the blue shorts and the invisible plane!
Well done Zoe.I think Wonder Woman wears a Wonderbra. U might ask your parents for a new one.
Same sort of thing happens here.
I witnessed a nasty hit and run accident once and called the ambulance on my mobile phone. I too was grilled as to the authenticity of the “accident”, but unlike you Zoe, the old man died at the scene while we waited 25 mins for the ambulance.
I don’t think I’d have stayed calm enough. Rob did a first aid course here and they were trained to give details of how many injured and how much they are injured and what the injuries are. It’s so they know what equipment to put in the ambulance if they need extra bits and pieces.
Don’t blame the dispatchers Zoe. They are doing exactly as they are trained to do, and actually, all those questions are necessary in order to get the right personnel to the scene. I don’t know how it works in Belgium, but here you can have either a basic life support (BLS) ambulance, staffed by EMT’s that have a lower level of training, or an ALS ambulance, staffed by paramedics. Which one you get depends on what you are telling that dispatcher.
As for the response time itself, well, that all depends on several things, including the location of the accident, the number of ambulances available at the time (remember, you are not the only one calling for help, and most likely there are limited resources), and other factors.
When I worked as a paramedic in Brooklyn, we would get hassled all the time about “Why it took so long?” Most people just don’t understand that far too many EMS services are understaffed, underpaid, and most of all, under appreciated.
I was waiting for your reply, MrN.
Realising that many hoax calls are made I tried to give as many precise details as possible, including the fact that an elderly man was trapped inside the over-turned car.
But I think you’ve set me straight as to why the ambulance took so long despite being so close – thanks x
Here in Paris, it’s the fire people who act as an ambulance and they have a doctor on board. Fire brigades as they call them here are in every district of town and totally free of charge..
Hilde – many fire departments here in U.S. have taken over EMS services as well – and unfortunately – to the determent of the EMS systems involved. In NYC, the EMS service was taken over by the fire department in 1995, and has been pretty much a disaster since. Why? Because they are treated like bastard stepchildren by the fire department. The ambulances are the drivers of money in the system, as by law, you can’t charge for a fire truck that comes to your house (that’s what taxes are for). But, you or your insurance can be billed for an ambulance.
What should have happened is that EMS should have been separated out into its own service, paid for by tax dollars, and run in a manner consistent with other public health services.
As for Paris, I’m aware of the SAMU system there, and as for having doctors ride on ambulances, my own opinion is that it’s a waste of resources. I remember when Princess Di was killed, and one of the things that was being discussed was why they waited so long on the scene before getting her to a trauma center, once she was extracted from the wreck. The general consensus amongst my former colleagues, and even a few from Europe, was that the doctors tried too hard to stabilize her on the scene, which was a huge mistake. She needed an operating room, and if they moved quicker, she might still be alive today.
Tout à fait d’accord, Mr Nighttime.
Even about the Princess, your comment is the(sad) truth.
You are indeed a hero of the people.
It’s a shame they have to ask so many questions to check it is not a hoax. If someone was hurt really badly that time could make all the difference.
Hello! What would have happened if the person who made the call hadn’t been as cool and composed as you?
Good girl! All the Brownie points for you.
Love Hilde’s story.
No longer AWOL thanks Zoe. I think I flew back.