Mistaken Identity

     This issue's close call was sent in by a reader who had a brush with violence and was almost drawn into the fray because of the badge on his uniform.

     "My partner and I were at our usual convenience store/gas station at about 10:30 p.m. It's in a somewhat seedy neighborhood and was crowded. While we were in line, someone came running in and yelled, "They're fighting with guns outside!" As everyone else in the store ran toward the front windows to watch (why, I have no idea), we quietly sauntered to the back of the store. We got as far away as we could and called it in. We were stuck.

     "Someone from outside came into the store again, looked at us and pleaded for us to help. 'Look at those police officers,' she added, gesturing toward us for the benefit of others in the store. 'They don't even care!' I calmly replied that we were paramedics, not police officers, and that the police would arrive soon. It didn't seem to register, and soon several people in the store were asking us why we weren't helping. The police arrived quickly, and two bad guys were arrested. My supervisor showed up, and as we were talking to him, someone approached us. 'Did you get the guy who did it?' he asked."

     Over the years, EMS has grown serious roots in the arena of public safety. This identity has spawned similarities in the authority-based uniforms we often wear, which can resemble those worn by our public safety brethren. In this case, it almost put two EMSers in the middle of a dangerous situation.

     Tactically, I applaud the medics for not getting involved in the fight. It may seem like a no-brainer when people are fighting with guns, but it took maturity and solid decision-making to stay back when urged to get involved by citizens.

     This situation also provides a backdrop for bringing up some other safety and survival points:

• Don't leave your ambulance running outside a store, even just for a minute. The ambulance here could have become a getaway vehicle for one of the shooters.
• Remember the concepts of cover and concealment. If you ever find yourself in a situation such as this, look for something that will hide your body and protect you from bullets—this is cover. Examples include trees, brick walls and the engine block of your ambulance. Concealment is good in a pinch because it hides you, but it doesn't offer protection.
• Retreat is always a strategy. Get away from the danger. Put as much space between you and any threats as possible. Go as far as you need to be safe—and then go a little further—until police secure the scene. Integrate cover and concealment while you are retreating.
• Work through different situations in your head during down time. If you go to a store in a tough part of town (sometimes these are the only choices we have), come up with some safety strategies in the event things go bad (e.g., what if someone tried to jack your rig or steal your narcs?).
• Carry a portable radio at all times. In this case, the medics had a link directly to the dispatcher. Most of us carry cell phones as well.
• Communicate with your partner. The safety and survival strategies of a team may be greater than the sum of its individual efforts. Two heads are better than one.

     Finally, don't forget the value of observation as a tactic. It's always better to observe a dangerous situation and avoid it than to have to use tactics to get out of it. Look for suspicious activity, drug or alcohol use and crowds gathering. Sometimes you can watch an area become "charged" or energized with activity prior to a violent outburst.

     Other times an unusual silence is as valuable a sign of danger as suspicious activity.

     Here is what the medics in this close call were wearing:

     "Our uniforms have light-blue button-down shirts with a badge over the left chest and a nameplate on the right. There are patches on either shoulder also shaped like badges, along with patches to symbolize rank and years of service on the sleeves. Our uniforms are almost identical to those of several area police agencies, and nothing on them clearly identifies us as EMS workers."

     What does your uniform look like, and why? While many like the authoritative-looking public safety uniform, others have moved to different styles (e.g., embroidered or screened polos) for a variety of reasons that include lower cost, comfort, practicality and (of course) safety.

     Don't forget, a professional in a polo outperforms and looks better than a guy with a badge any day. It's the way you walk the walk.

     Be careful out there.

     To submit a case for review, e-mail Nancy.Perry@cygnusb2b.com.

Daniel D. Limmer, AS, EMT-P, is a paramedic with Kennebunk Fire-Rescue in Kennebunk, ME. He is the author of several EMS textbooks and a nationally recognized lecturer.

EMS EXPO™
Dan Limmer is a featured speaker at EMS EXPO, October 15–17, in Las Vegas, NV. For more information, visit www.emsexpo2008.com.