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The Sleeping Paramedic
The Steps from Catastrophe

The Steps from Catastrophe

09:25

STATION 118, LOS ANGELES

Yes. Just like last time, I woke up at a place not in my Dorm room at the University.

Is this...a shower cubicle? Hmm, interesting...

"ARRGH! GOSH JACKY!" Buck....is using the toilet...

"Oh god, I'm so, so sorry Buck!" I said, in the meantime turning back to the cubicle.

Please, is there any way to unsee this... That's so embarrassing.

Dammit, Jacky. Can you choose a better place?

================================================================================

09:42

"Ms. Maxwell? It's the postal service! Hello? "

*Postman rings bell*

*Maxwell's house explodes*

A woman was driving nearby.

"Hello Dad, yes...I am nearly there, just finding a spot..."

The house next to her car explodes, and her car was hit by flying debris. Her car lost control and crashed into a house nearby.

- 911, what's your emergency?

- I need help! A car crashed into our house! And I think I saw a house a few blocks away blew up! also, I think I smell gas...

- ...miss? I want you to leave your house, do not touch any electrical appliances while you are on your way out. If you can't leave, open some windows.

- Ok.. ok *Timmy? The 911 lady asks us to leave the house! Don't touch anything!*

- I am Maddie. What's your name and address?

- It's Sarah, Sarah Cornwall. 124 Mitchell, San Vincente.

- Help is on the way.

================================================================================

09:50

"Guys? Hello, it's not Jacky again. I'm Jackie, and I think we have swapped with each other yesterday..." I said.

"So... you did the CPR yesterday?" Hen asked.

"Yes," I answered.

"You have a lot of explaining to do... Jackie..." Buck said, but I don't know what happened.

"Welcome aboard, Jackie...I guess." Cap said.

"STATION 118, ALL UNITS RESPOND TO 124 MITCHELL, SAN VINCENTE. SUSPECTED GAS LEAK EXPLOSION AND CAR CRASH."

"Let's go let's go! All units!" Cap shouted

"Chim, Michelle, Jackie, get into the RA(Rescue Ambulance)." Hen said.

"Ok."

================================================================================

10:15

"Caller called in saying that the house few blocks away from hers blew up, and said that she smells something like gas. The caller also reported a car crashing into her house. We have instructed the caller to leave the house. The gas company has shut down gas supply to that area."

"Roger that Dispatch. Arriving on scene." that was Bobby.

We stepped off the RA. And it's a mess here.

"Michelle, Hen. Do triage. John, Andrew, Evac everyone nearby, don't use any electrical appliances. Eddie, Jack, check on the caller. Rest of the team, extinguish the fire! Let's go, everyone! Respirators on!"

"Ok."

"Eddie? Where's the caller again?" I asked.

"124... It's over there." Eddie replied.

I knocked on the door. There is no response.

"Jack, can you hear...something inside?"

"Ummm...yes, Eddie... do we need to break in?"

"No... *Knocks on the door* Los Angeles Fire Department!"

"You gotta help my daughter! She...she isn't responding!" A woman opened the door

Turns out that the caller's daughter passed out before she could leave the house.

"Okay, let us take care of her," Eddie said and walked into the house.

"What's her name?" I said.

"Its Timmy..."

"Don't worry, she's going to be okay."

"Jack, we need to move her out, just in case."

"Sure, Eddie. I NEED A BACKBOARD HERE!"

"Coming through!" Buck came in with a backboard.

"Thanks, Buckaroo," I said.

"Buck, on my count. One, two, three! " Eddie lifted the backboard with Buck.

"Miss? Here, let's go outside."

We moved the patient outside.

"Probably hypoxia due to gas leak, oxygen on," I said.

"Vitals normal. Jackie, you should go help Hen. I can take care of Timmy."

"Thanks, Eddie."

"Is my daughter okay?" The woman grabbed my arm and asked.

"Yes. She will be alright. Do you feel uncomfortable?" I replied.

"No, I'm fine, and can I help you? I am an ER nurse."

"Umm...you might want to ask that handsome man over there (points at Eddie). I should go now."

"Thank you, very much"

"You're welcome.

Hen and Michelle are handling a seriously injured patient. And the car driver seems fine.

"Hen? How is the patient?" I asked.

"Bilateral Pneumothorax, bone fractures in left arm, broken ribs. Not sure about his head." Hen said.

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

"I can fix the fracture."

"Sure. You take care of the fracture. Michelle comes over and help me with the decompression."

"Gotcha Hen. Working on it."

To deal with a fractured bone, first, immobilize it by splinting.

That was easy. Fractured limb sandwiched between 2 padded boards. Done.

"Hen, I secured the arm... And I think he got fractured legs."

"Do what you have to do. I trust you. Thanks, Jack."

Apart from padded boards, vacuum splints also get the job done.

But unfortunately, the pump tube broke.

"Sorry Jackie, Bobby had already tried to ask his superiors about the broken pump." Hen read my mind. But we already ran out of padded boards...

"Construction workers on site left the gas valves opened..." That came from the radio...

Constitution on-site? That means... Probably there are wooden boards here...

I can use bandages to secure the splints...

"Cap? Are the workers on-site? I want to ask them something." I radioed Cap.

"Yes, they are standing next to me."

"Cap, I am coming, where are you?"

A Few moments later.

"Michelle? Please get me some bandages. I need two rolls. And I need extra hands." I said

Thank God they got wooden boards for the floor. The size is perfect, and it is smooth enough to be used.

"Michelle? Hold the boards for me while I strap them together. Thanks" I said.

Then I tied a few knots to secure the splint.

The wooden boards/makeshift splints did a great job of saving a poor victim suffering from crappy municipal equipment.

"Done. Hen? Is he okay for transport?"

"Yes, Jack. Chim? Get on the RA. Jack, follow us. Michelle, you go help Eddie out. We will return to pick up the driver." Hen said, and Michelle seems a bit...upset?

11:30

Chim pulled up at the front of the Los Angeles Mercy General.

And we pulled out the gurney from the ambulance.

"42-year-old male, injury due to explosion. Bilateral pneumothorax, fractured left arm, fractured legs." Hen reported the situation to the Nurse.

"Vitals normal. Pupils are normal." I added.

"Gotcha, Hen, and Jacky. Thanks. Trauma Bay One!" that was Nurse Florence. Jacky said she is probably the most caring nurse in LA, and she is Jacky's Aunt.

"Thanks, Nurse Florence.",I said. Then we boarded the RA and return to the site to pick up patients.

================================================================================

12:50

"Great! We came back just in time for lunch!" Hen said.

"Cap's meal is always the best food I've ever eaten," I said.

The first thing I saw when I open the doors of the RA, is Michelle. She is pissed off. Totally.

"Jacky Man. Don't think that you could snatch my patient just because you are trustworthy after that identity swap crap."

"Wait what? Snatched your patient? I don't know what's wrong with you but I am just trying to help!"

"Woah Woah. Calm down you two. I don't know what happened but lunch's ready." Cap tried to stop the argument, but Michelle isn't stopping.

That argument ended with a hard slap in the face. Everyone on the scene was shocked.

"Screw you and your help," Michelle said and left the scene.

"Uhh... Jack? You alright?" Hen asked.

"Yes... I guess. Did Cap said Lunch's ready?" I said, then walked upstairs to eat.

Well, that's not really a warm welcome.

13:00

"So...Jackie? How did you end up here?" Buck asked.

"I don't know... I was sleeping on my bed, and I woke up inside the shower cubicle." I said. "You should ask Jacky why he hid inside a shower cubicle."

*Phone Rings*

Jacky

I promise I will choose the cubicle next time🤪 13:01

Jackie

Fuck you, Jacky. Fuck you 🖕13:01

"And are you alright after what happened moments ago...?" Hen asked.

"It's alright. I am fine as long as this shell belongs to Jacky." I replied. Whatever, Michelle slapped Jacky, and I am well protected by Jacky. Anyways, thanks.

"So where do you come from, Jack?" Eddie asked.

"Hong Kong. 19 years old. And I got a certification of AMLS from St John Ambulance." I replied.

======================================================================================

13:30

*gunshot fired*

"Hello everybody. Don't move, or you will be shot."

*Outside the store*

"Hey...John... Stuff isn't going right inside...."

"Yeah... I'm calling 911...lets get the hell outta here..."

- 911 What's Your Emergency?

- I heard someone firing a gun inside a store... *women screams* ahh! Someone screamed! *Hey John let's get the hell outta here!*

- Ok. Can you tell me the address of the store? And stay away from the site.

13:50

"Bobby, we can't get in. They got firearms that are too dangerous for us to deal with. Support Units are coming, but they need at least an hour to arrive." That was Sergeant Grant, also Cap's wife.

"Dispatch said that there is a patient with Gunshot Wound inside... She couldn't survive that long..." Eddie said.

Ok... let's do this... Jackie.

"Cap...Can I go in? I had experience in Gunshot Wounds. She won't be able to hang on for an hour." I said.

"Jacky, you don't have to," Chim said.

"Yeah, Jack. Please don't." Hen said.

"Hen, you got Denny and Karen. Chim, you got Maddie. I am just all alone. I can take care of this."

"Okay. Jackie. I will ask Athena." Cap said. "Athena? Can I let Jackie in?"

"Sure. Jackie?" Athena waved at me.

"Jackie, listen. Do not take off the bulletproof vest, ok?" Athena said. To be honest I don't feel comfortable around cops.

"Yes, Sergeant Grant," I replied.

"Just call me Athena, it's alright."

"Ok. I got all my tools. I am going in..." I said.

"Take care. Be careful. We will be waiting outside." Hen said.

"Everyone stay back," Athena ordered.

And I walked towards the store and knocked on the door.

"LAFD Paramedics! Open Up!"

"What the... WHO CALLED THE COPS!?"

"Hey hey HEY! There aren't any cops, just paramedics! I am not armed! I am just trying to help!" I shouted, desperately. "YOU KNOW WHAT? TAKE ME HOSTAGE! SO I COULD GO INSIDE? OKAY?"

Then, two people came out of the store and pulled me inside.

Somewhere a few blocks away from the store

"Hey, Cap...you sure Jackie is...okay? Buck asked.

"Yes. I trust Jackie. He is okay." Cap said. "When will the Support unit arrive?"

"LAPD Metro is sending a unit here, ETA 30 minutes... Traffic Jam in downtown." Athena said.

Inside the store

"You can do whatever you like. Don't you dare to trick me or the morgue will be your next stop." One of the guys with the gun said.

"...Understood. Can I now treat this woman?" I asked. I am still trying to calm myself down. I am a human after all...

"Sure. Go."

I approached the women.

"Hey miss? Can you hear me?" I asked while setting up the monitor.

"I'm... Evelyn... Help...."

"My name is Jackie. Hang on tight."

Abdominal gunshot wound... Where's the gauze...ah here it is.

Wound sealed, then it's the pressure.

"Evelyn? I will apply pressure to stop the bleeding. I might have to use my knees if my hands can't apply enough pressure on your wound."

"Ok..."

"Here we go."

A few moments later

"Help! My son..." A man shouted.

"Ok can someone come here and help?" I asked. Evelyn probably won't be able to apply pressure to her wound by herself.

"Jackie? I could help." The cashier came and helped me.

"Good thanks."

"Here I got you covered. What is his name?"

"Andy." The father said ",He got asthma..."

"Okay. Do you have his inhaler with you?"

"Yes.. here."

"Thanks," I said, "Andy? I am Jackie. Don't worry, I am trying to make you feel better. When I press down three times, take a deep breath, just like you are smelling something delicious. Ok? *Andy nods* good. Let's go."

Oh by the way... where are those robbers...

*Loud crash*

*inaudible argument*

*Rifle fire*

"EVERYONE STAY DOWN!"

Somewhere a few blocks away from the store

"Seargent Grant, LAPD Metro on site."

"Thanks. *to Bobby* This is Captain Anderson. *To Anderson* This is LAFD Captain Nash."

"Yes. Its good to see you, Seargent Grant and Captain Nash. What's the situation?"

"Armed robbery. Hostages include Customers and a Paramedic."

"Ok. Thanks. We will be breaking in from..."

*Rifle firing*

"SWAT Unit ready. Standing by."

"Alpha team ready to break in."

"Beta in position. Ready."

"Alpha Proceed with break in."

"Roger."

Inside the store

The robbers had fired their weapons somewhere far away from us... I don't know if they shot each other or what, I don't care. Thankfully there aren't any additional injuries out here.

*Loud Bang, due to break in*

Gosh...what the hell...am I seeing...

I think I'm seeing flames and smoke surrounding me

Those memories are flashing in front of me...

"Jack? Jackie?" It's Hen.

Ugh!

That's only an illusion....thank goddess...

"Are you alright?" Hen asked.

"Yes... Yes I am okay." I replied.

Los Angeles Mercy General Hospital

"Trauma Case. 32 years old Female patient, abdominal GSW..." We moved Evelyn inside the emergency room.

"Ok. Leave it to us."

================================================================================

"Everyone, I should talk about what happened...that night. Doctors said that I had PTSD, and that break in probably triggered that memory. " I said

Yeah. I still can't forget what happened that night.