So last month the BCFD (as were a lot of East Coast FDs) was hit with unusually severe snow storms. The storm hit our particular area right before the afternoon rush hour and Joe and Josephine Taxpayer got stuck trying to get home. And I mean stuck to the point where entrances to subdivisions became impromptu parking lots and you had to slalom your way down the main roads. Our area wasn't unique in this - some Washington D.C. area commuters were stuck over night on the road. And I mean stuck in the cars, not forced to take shelter in a nearby hotel in Spartanburg S.C. like Old Red did on a trip to Florida one year for Spring Break. I wish FDs gave a Spring Break. Why do college students need a Spring Break anyway? But I digress...
In any case, a truck company from our department responded to a gentleman having a heart attack. No ambulances were available or likely to be available soon due to the traffic/snow/shitty (technical term) conditions. The patient was truly critical and circling the bowl (technical term). The truck officer made the decision to transport the patient in the truck to the hospital - which fortunately was pretty close. The ER doc stated that they made the right call and saved this man's life.
So do you think I heard about this great example of decision making and customer service internally??? No - I had to read about it in our local media. Unfricking believable.
I'll be the first to admit that I am not the world's greatest supervisor but one of my mentors taught me that any time your subordinates do something extraordinary you should circulate it. I always copy thank you letters to the District Commander, our County-wide Shift Chief and anyone else I think needs to know about the employee. It has always had a motivational and cumulative effect on the guys and girls on my shift.
Thanks for reading,
A peeved Schmuckalooski
No comments:
Post a Comment