Each day starts bright and early around 5:15 am or 05:15 when I wake up to start the long day that stretches until 7:00 pm or 19:00. I always try to lay my things for work out beforehand, so I don’t have to rush so much the morning of. This includes my uniform, any food for the day, my laptop, and usually something to read. After I get all my stuff into my work bag, I put my uniform on and head to my car to drive to work. Once I get to work, I clock in, check my mailbox, and set my things down. The first thing I do every shift is a rig check. This means that
I and my partner go through everything we carry on the truck from oxygen to radios. We also check all the lights and sirens on the truck to make sure they are all working properly. After our rig check, we wash the outside of the truck, especially if it is dirty. That is the last ‘chore’ that
we do and keep in mind that anytime during these chores if we get a call, we hop in the truck and go. That brings me to the exciting part. I normally get anywhere from 4-8 calls in a day.
Each call typically takes about an hour, but that time can vary. Calls can vary from simply helping someone who has fallen get back on their feet and a brief examination to a cardiac arrest or high-speed head-on collision. I really have to be ready for anything, because you never know what each day will hold. One call that I still remember was a head-on collision between a large cement truck and a mini-van. Around 6:00 pm our relief or the crew who is working the night shift shows up. We let them know what equipment may need to be replaced so that they are equipped for the night, although we do normally restock any supplies used right after the call. 7:00 pm comes and it’s time to clock out and head home. After a long day, all I really want is some warm food and a comfortable bed to sleep in. Days like these always lead to a good night’s sleep.
Interviewed by: Maya Darwish
Written by: Mia Malak