A sobering experience (And put on hold on 911!)

[Shishkabob]

So, I was in class tonight, and there was a tornado spotted just north of Dallas (Class is IN north Dallas). Power goes out so we chill for half an hour waiting to see what would be done. Finally get released to go home.

I get on 635, a major artery for the city, and start heading home. A white Stratus is going about 80 in heavy rain while the rest of us are going 50-60. When a car blocks his path, he'll slow down and enter another lane.


So I'm in the 3rd lane from the left (of 5) and he's in the 2nd. He starts to merge in to my lane but sees me at the last second and jerks his wheel. I look in my mirror and cannot believe my eyes--- he spun out in heavy traffic going 70ish with a semi right behind him. It was semi-dark, but I could tell he was hit full on by the semi on the drivers side, so I stop to help....


KIDDING! Kept driving.


I call 911, and because of the heavy rain and tornado, I'm actually put on hold for 10 minutes! After the wait is up, I give the corresponding info to the dispatcher (Who was confused by my usage of "MVC"[Still in EMT mindset]), and continue my (much more methodical) drive home. I feel bad for Dallas FD... they'll be stretched thin tonight.

 

[ClarkKent]

(Who was confused by my usage of "MVC"[Still in EMT mindset])

LOL this happens to many times for me. I am a volunteer with the Sheriff's Department (until I pass my NREMT test then I am off to FD), and every time I am on the phone with in officer and or dispatch telling them about a MVC or Ped ves. POV they are like what, I have no clue what you are taliing about

 

[subliminal1284]

Maybe he will think twice before driving like a moron next time.

 

[Chelle]

If he can still think.

 

[Seaglass]

I had something similar earlier this week. Driving down a busy road around noon, massively drunk driver ahead. This guy goes onto the curb, takes out a sign, keeps going, sideswipes a pole, keeps going, then finally hits a tree and stops. I tried 911 four times and got a fast busy signal before I finally got through.

10 minutes is really long, though.

 

[lightsandsirens5]

10 minutes is really long, though.

That is a long time. I am guessing that the call/dispatch center was swamped with paniced peoples calls because of the heavy weather. Here when things go crazy they seem to try to bring in extra dispatchers.

 

[firecoins]

I guess thats why NIMS wants you speaking plain English. I think MVA sounds better and its still understood by cops.

 

[JPINFV]

 

[rescuepoppy]

That is a long time. I am guessing that the call/dispatch center was swamped with paniced peoples calls because of the heavy weather. Here when things go crazy they seem to try to bring in extra dispatchers.

I can not say what is considered abnormal for this area,as I have no experience of the Dallas area. But 10 minutes seems long to me. I would think that on a major highway that dispatch was probably taking numerous calls on this accident. Possibly some of the calls were coming from people who had stopped and were giving direct information on any patients. It is also possible that the victim could be calling themselves, I have had that happen several times. I don' know this for sure just throw out some things to think about.