In NYC the ambulance sirens have been constant all day. Our 911 system is operating at record volume, higher than on 9/11.
My colleagues on the EMS crews are absolute heroes.
And the crazy thing is that this article only tells part of the story.
THREAD
nyti.ms/2QSu2H7
My colleagues on the EMS crews are absolute heroes.
And the crazy thing is that this article only tells part of the story.
THREAD
nyti.ms/2QSu2H7
This @nytimes piece quotes a very good friend and colleague Phil Suarez (@philsuarez25):
“I’m terrified...I honestly don’t know if I’m going to survive.”
Let me tell you about Phil, and why his words resonates so deeply with me...
“I’m terrified...I honestly don’t know if I’m going to survive.”
Let me tell you about Phil, and why his words resonates so deeply with me...
Phil has been on the ambulance for 26 years. He’s one of the best.
He responded on 9/11.
He co-founded @NYCMedics, an organization that dispatches medical groups to remote areas in disaster zones & humanitarian emergencies.
He’s been on nearly every one of their deployments...
He responded on 9/11.
He co-founded @NYCMedics, an organization that dispatches medical groups to remote areas in disaster zones & humanitarian emergencies.
He’s been on nearly every one of their deployments...
Suffice it to say, he’s seen some things. And he’s provided care in places most medical groups won’t go.
This includes embedding within the Iraqi military during the Mosul offensive. He provided trauma care literally on the frontlines of the fight against the Islamic State...
This includes embedding within the Iraqi military during the Mosul offensive. He provided trauma care literally on the frontlines of the fight against the Islamic State...
In the countless hours we’ve spent talking about working on the frontlines here in NYC or in the heart of a civil war, I’ve never once seen him shaken or rattled.
So when I hear him say he’s terrified, I take notice. We all should. This is not business as usual...
So when I hear him say he’s terrified, I take notice. We all should. This is not business as usual...
Just like our ERs & ICUs, our EMS colleagues are reaching a breaking point. They’re worried about their supply of personal protective equipment. They’re worried about more calls & sicker patients, in crowded apartments. Seeing the sad reality on the frontlines, they’re afraid...
I survived Ebola and I fear #Covid_19.
Phil survived civil war and numerous deployments in the most difficult and dangerous places in the world, and he is terrified.
The reality on our frontlines is dire. We can’t say this enough...
Phil survived civil war and numerous deployments in the most difficult and dangerous places in the world, and he is terrified.
The reality on our frontlines is dire. We can’t say this enough...
We were warned by China and we didn’t prepare.
We were warned by Italy and we didn’t prepare.
Everyone needs to listen to what Phil and our EMS heroes on the frontline are recounting. EVERYWHERE in the US needs to be prepared. This won’t be confined to coasts & big cities...
We were warned by Italy and we didn’t prepare.
Everyone needs to listen to what Phil and our EMS heroes on the frontline are recounting. EVERYWHERE in the US needs to be prepared. This won’t be confined to coasts & big cities...
So the next time you hear an ambulance siren wailing, take a moment to thank the incredible work that Phil and his EMS colleagues are doing for us, every day.
These men and women are the real heroes. I’m so honored to work alongside side them in this fight. 🙏
These men and women are the real heroes. I’m so honored to work alongside side them in this fight. 🙏
