16 -- Wednesday, January 13. 1999 ~ North Shore News NV paramedics ‘focus on the good From page 15 For caample, if we're near a call, we'll let him know that we may be closer than anoth- crunit. But it’s a stresstul job (dispatching), no doubr.” Another call comes in. This time it’s a three-car traffic accident near the Pacific National — Exhibition | on Rentrew Drive. Fortunately, it’s not a serious accident. But a taxi cab driver wasn’t wearing his seat belt and looks to be suffering from whiplash and a possible minor concussion. The paramedics never take any chances. They load the man carefully out of his taxi and onto the stretcher. After admitting the taxi driver to Burnaby Hospital folowing a 45-minute wait for an avail- able bed, Alpha Two heads back to North Vancouver. Irs 10:16 p.m. when they arrive back at LGH. The cails on the radio are heavy. Murai parks the car, but neither medic gets out. They know what's coming. “Just wait for it,” whispers. As if on cue, the radio crackles to life: “56 Alpha Two!” Murai responds tu the call while Mussatto ponders aloud the number of ambulances Murai the dispatcher is directing on channel one. “PE othink he’s (the dis- patcher) handling about 13 to {5 ambulances tonight,” he says. “And that’s only on channel one.” The dispatcher orders Alpha Two to return to the Chevron station on standby. But after driving only three blocks down Lonsdale “You have to learn to separate yourself, ” — Paramedic Darrell Mussatto Avenue, they receive a tresh call. This time it’s what's referred to as a ‘routine call’. It's not a Code Three (2 top priority emergency). “It's a routine, non-life threatening call,” Mussatto says. “We'll see what hap- pens.” The only insight the para- medics are given, aside from the address, is a brief descrip- tion of what they may encounter. But there’s never any guarantees. This time thev’re told it’s “a shoutder injury.” It seems like an unnecessary call for an ambulance to respond to, bur the routine calls aren't treated with any Jess enthusiasm. There’s a S54 user fee involved for the paticnt when calling for an ambulance on the North Shore. “Its (an ambulance) cheaper and somewhat quick- er than a rai”) Mussatre quips. “But Tike P said, vou don’t know what you're going to get. We'll just sce when we get there.” Mirssatto and Murai pos- sess an uncanny ability to pre- dict what will happen. Upon arriving at their destination, the “shoulder injury” turns out to be significantly more serious than what the dis- patcher offered. Both medics exude a calm demeanor, and both use humeur to make — their patents feel more comfort able. When attempting to enter the house of an elderly man with a badly dislocated shoulder, a golf bag nearly toppled Mussatto over. “Mind if J play through?” Maussatto smiles at the elderly man Iving on his back in the kitchen. He’s clutching his right arm tighdy against his body. The bone is almost protrud- ing from his arm. The rain- bow-coloured bruise that engulfs his entire shoulder irters too.” their colleague tives “Dhis is a. first” Murai says. “Makes for an interest: ing evening.” With their elderly patient admitted, Murat again: heads back to the car to clean up. Mussatto makes bis wav back to the ambulance lounge to fill our the crew report, He glances at his watch, “Only eight more hours to go,” he sighs. “It’s going to be a long night.~ medical history, "Now, when somebody telly me to get the lead out mv ass FE otcll tem | can’t.” Midnight iy approaching quickly as) Murai and looks excruciatingly painful, He has been Iving on his back with this shoulder injury ter nearly a week. He hasn't eaten any food in six days. But he appreciates Mussatte’s matter-of-fact) Mussatte return to the LGH tone of voice and shows he te admit the elderly man. too boasts a quick, sharp wit- | They're both working until 8 fines, a.m. the next day. While wait- “Pre got 76 lead pellets in ing, a paramedic trom West my left thigh from a hunting Vancouver informs the wwe accident 48 years ago,” the that all the 911 lines are our elderly oman says while of order. “Keep a cell phone answering questions about his on vou and a pocket: full of sence a meme nik pee aes tear enna eat ng Sele Sidewalk Sale Friday, January 15 - Sunday, January 24 Ten days of spectacular savings. You'll find the best buys on things you really want, right now! While you're here, enter for a chance to win a Sailboard at the Customer Courtesy Centre. TOWN CENTRE Always a Welcome Surprise! Shopping Centre Hours Monday-Friday 10:00a.1.-9:00p.m. Saturday 9:30a.m.-6:00p.m. Sunday 11:00a.m.-6:00p.m.