PAX Centurion - January / February 2015

www.bppa.org PAX CENTURION • January/February 2015 • Page 23 The S.S. Mandation Boston EMS Corner: Ed McCarthy I just called my family and said: Take my partner to the beach in my staid! I had this weekend free. But now I’m stuck in Ambulance Three. My plans for family time all but dead. But it’s your only weekend off! Said my wife with a sob. I know that, honey, but it’s part of the job. I’m not at all happy, To fill in for a lackey, But at least I can hit Simco’s for a dog. It’s kind of like purgatory, Being stuck on mandatory. Right now I’m seeing all red. So let me tell you my story, Please forgive the oratory, I only have a minute to make up the bed. The calls come in without a break. Some of the incidents would make grown men quake. But we take it in stride, and keep them alive, And focus on the difference we make. Extra shifts I do take, as extra money, I can make. So we hustle and hurry, So fast, things get blurry. But my back has begun to ache. I do my forty and another sixteen. For several weeks running, or so it would seem. But my weekend off is in sight! Just one more shift, just one more night! And I’ll be enjoying my dream. A cottage on the Cape, we did reserve. My one weekend off I do deserve. To beat the traffic we leave at nine, Assuming I get off on time. The weather is supposed to be great, I did observe. “Multiple spots.” Announced over the air, And I mumble quietly: “Oh, don’t you dare.” It isn’t right. It isn’t fair. And then the phone rings; I’m caught in the snare. The calls go out all through the am. “ALS / BLS. Help out if you can.” If there are no takers, And no one can. There is no help, not even a scam. So my one out of six is now on a funeral pyre. I don’t know why they cancel promotions, and won’t hire. While my family enjoys the sun and the beach, I’ll be swabbing down stretchers with ten-percent bleach. The S.S. Mandation has pulled into port. When minimum staffing comes up short. Small classes are an addition, But can’t keep pace with attrition. And so to the list, they do resort. It’ll take the wife a while to forget this slight. I couldn’t get out of it, I tried with all my might. It isn’t fair. It isn’t right. Sadly though, there is no end in sight. THE BOSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT PEER SUPPORT UNIT We are a peer-driven support program for police officers and their families. Our program is completely confidential and is available to ALL police officers and their families. Group or individual help with handling family and life issues, alcohol, drugs, anger and domestic issues. Referral for specialist as needed. 251 River Street, Mattapan, MA 02126 Office: 617-598-7888 (M-F 9 am-5 pm) Off-Hours, On-Call Peer Counselor: 617-343-4680 Sometimes even WE need a little help from our friends!