plitician ife saver as aramedic Liam Lahey Contributing Writer ON Friday nights, North Vancouver City councillor Darrell Mussatto discards his suit and municipal per- sona and slips into something a little more comfortable: an ambu- lance. Mussatra, a 13-year para medic on the North Shore, spends bis weekends (and weekdays) saving lives. Free from the constraints of his seat in the municipal chamber, Mussatto is at ease with himself as he performs a routine inventory Alpha Twe — one of the two ambulances that are. based out of Lions Gate Hospital (LGH). “Friday nights can be the busiest nights. of the week, or they're totally dead.” he says. “You never know what to expec.” Mussatto’s shift starts at 6:30 p.m., but as he checks and double checks the equip- ment in the back of Alpha Two, a telephone begins ringing frantically from some- where within the garage where the vehicle is parked. “Dammit, thar ll be for us,” Mussatto whispers to himself. Sure enough, it is. The inventory check is over, The action is about to begin. It’s only 6:22 p.m. Mussatto’s regular part- ner, Barry Almond, is work- ing in West Vancouver tonight. Mussatto doesn’t know who he'll be paired scish, but considering there's little time to waste, paramedic Al Malayko — who's already worked a 12 hour shift — jumps into the driver's seat alongside Mussatto. Both Alpha Two and Aipha One, the advanced medical care ambulance, have been ordered to respond toa possible heart attack victim only one kilometre away from the bespital. With emergency lights flashing and the siren blaring, Alpha ‘Two follows Alpha One out of LGH and into the night. Arriving at the scene, both ambulance crews charge into the apartment building on East 13th Stzect to the sec- ond floor. The North Shore Fire and Rescue are already check of sto tie Vista, amall, two hed roan 4 sent a 2 vedas old miptos dang on the bed toot Tear Withie seconds, Malako is attending to the vai while Muassatto begs questioning the ictan’s ory ing family menibers, “Your rather doesivt speak Enghsh? Pm going to have ta get vou to transite tor us then, Po oneed your help.” Mussatto explains to the nian’s son, who stands erying in the hallway staring at his father-in-law “ICs his first time in Canada,” the man responds. “He has a heart condition.” Down the hall and. into the living roam, two small attend: See Alpha page 18 NEWS photo Brad Ledwidge NEWS contributing writer Liam Lahey. sight, accompanied North Vancouver City Coun. Darrell Mussatto, a vet- eran paramedic working on the North Shore. 100’s of Quality Framed Prints at Blowout Prices! WU Coautifully fenishied in + wide aaniety of finely crafied wood & metal frames Choose from many well-know artists including... Bateman Romanello Lyman Wildlife ¢ Scenery Heighton Brenders Ansei Adams Group of Seven Monet ¢ Southwest e Floral « Seascapes @ Abstracts All in a multitude of styles & colours, suitable for every decor with the purchase of any of our gallery prints Saturday, January 16, 11am - 5pm NORTH SHORE WINTER.CLU st On Friday, This Week takes in the theatre at Capilano College —- including a look at the Arts Cluk production of Two Ships Passing. Then our Sunday Focus looks back at an international story that had more than a passing interest for many North Shore residents — the 20th Anniversary of the Shah's ouster from Iran. Does anybody remember all those yellow riboons down south?