Two Things - Siren Voices and Recent Comments
If you’re at a loose end, I strongly recommend you have a read of Siren Voices, a new blog by an Emergency Medical Technician. I know there’s a lot of ambulance blogs out there now, and I do enjoy reading all of them, but I think this one is something special. Go and have a read!
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On a less cheerful note, there has been a spate of comments on my blog recently from a disgruntled colleague who seems to think that I make up tales to “spice up” this blog. This simply isn’t true. I change details to protect patient (and colleague) confidentiality, but that’s it. As for background information, I use reliable sources like the BBC and the LAS website. If ever there is an error in anything I have written, it was made in good faith and not to “spice up” my writing. Quite frankly, there is enough drama in that control room to last a lifetime without me having to make things up!
In particular, I did take the first call on 7/7. One of my colleagues was featured heavily in the media after 7/7 for her call taking involvement, and that’s because she took four very significant calls that day, and I think this has led to other people thinking that she took the first one. I’m not grumbling that she got more attention than me, because what she did was probably more important, but I don’t like being accused of lying!
The last couple of comments have started to cross the line into abusiveness and I think this is a real shame because us control bods should be sticking together. We get enough abuse from callers without starting to turn on each other. So in future, if anyone spots an error in my posts, or wants to clear up anything I have said, perhaps a private email might be the best way to go, as this is meant to be a Proper Serious Grown Up Blog and not Livejournal. Cheers.
on January 12th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
This is all very true. I think the problem you are encountering is the fact that certain sad individuals in that room seems to want to claim any bit of glory for themselves. Or if thats not possible, they will pick holes in people that have been in the spotlight as it were. Proof of this would be the amount of people who have so far told me that they “declared” the hospital fire, when I know who it was. These days i just find it easier to smile at other peoples ignorance, it gets me through the day!
on January 12th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
I’m sorry you have been getting trouble from the green-ink brigade. I find your blog sane and informative. But I also read it via Livejournal even though I’m old enough to be Somebody’s Mother (or in some families, a grandmother). Not all LJ readers are jailbait…
Keep up the good work.
on January 12th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
I’m on Livejournal too (as my real self, not as Mark) and I am over thirty. Drama there doesn’t seem to be restricted to teenagers, and there is nothing wrong with drama in its rightful place… but I don’t want it here!
on January 12th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
You know, it’s just a sad hazard of being on the web. I hope you’re still getting a lot more out of being here than you are getting a big, fat hassle.
If it’s any comfort, those of us who participate in online conversations have seen this kind of thing before and don’t give it any weight.
on January 12th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Unfortunately, jealousy and envy will always exist. You’ve been doing a great job here - writing informative and fascinating posts - and it was only a matter of time before the green-eyed monster made itself known. Just look at it as a side product of success and ignore it.
on January 13th, 2008 at 12:17 am
hi mark,
Sorry to hear you’re having trouble mate! Very grown up response though, not sure I coulda been so mature with it! I’m 1 week into EMD now and loving it- a big thanks for your great blog that gave me ‘ the bug ‘ !
on January 13th, 2008 at 12:55 am
Thanks for the point towards SirenVoices! I needed more EMT blogging in my life
More excuses to not to work… It is pretty damn good writing as well!
on January 13th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
HI Mark
Sad to hear about the trouble who have been having, I am a keen reader of your blog and I also for the ambulance service.
Your correct in saying that control bods should stick together and in all work places you have jealous and rude colleagues.
Im a big fan of your blog and I will be for a long time to come, hopefully these comments will show whoever is being near to abusive that it is childish to make complaints that have no evidence to back it up.
on January 14th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Poor glory hounds
Just keep up your good work matey and let everyone else squabble over their self-perceived glory and slights.
on January 15th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Non carbirundium illegitami…..
Mark… awesome blog don’t let them get you down!
on January 17th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Mark, I checked out Siren Voices, and I wanted to post them a comment because it really is good writing, but I can’t. It only allows Blogger or Google sign-ins, and I’m from Wordpress. So, Siren Voices - I will be back to see you, but I can’t talk to you!
Spaniel xx
on January 19th, 2008 at 8:48 am
What Dan said.
on January 19th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Thanks for the steer towards Siren Voices…it is every bit as good as you say.
on January 22nd, 2008 at 12:28 am
Abuse always says more about the abuser than the abused. I have a preference for treating it with the contempt it deserves and leaving it hang in the breeze without acknowledgement. If abuse is directed against others, then I might well delete it like spam. It’s my blog, not theirs.
on January 22nd, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Keep blogging Mark, I often read, rarely post. You are a voice of sanity and have given us the general public an insight into life on the other side!! I had to speak to one of the ambulance call takers at GW recently, despite me being a panic stuck mum convinced her son was about to die from glo stick poisoning , they were calm and professional, assessed the situation quickly and then directed me to more appropriate help ( and apologies for ringing 999 I truly thought it was emergency!) . Having read your blog, I trusted the call taker to make the right decision regarding my sons care. Without having read it, I might well have ended up being that hysterical woman insisting on a blue light for no good reason !!!
Keep up the good work bud xxxx
on January 25th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Some people live such little lives and they can’t bear other people who actually live their lives. What a numpty.
Said it before - great blog. Had to call a nee naw the other day for a pedestrian and followed all the great tips, tricks and protocols I have learnt here - so whatever else, great public service.
on March 5th, 2008 at 12:40 am
EmmaC - bizarrely I took a call the other day from a Mum re glo stick breaking! Wonder if it was me…