000 – Emergency Services

Tom couldn’t believe it. The first 000 call of the shift had him headed towards The Glen. As he turned on the blues and twos he wondered if the little community would eventually have their own rural emergency service. He didn’t like the idea of Tori living in a place that was a 30-minute drive from the nearest ambo or fire truck.

"I’ve never been to this place before, Tom," Steven, his partner, said. "How about you?"

The Glen is a new community, Steve. Believe it or not, I’ve been here twice. Once for New Years Eve, and once to meet a couple of Tori’s friends. Tori wants us to move here from Coffs. Truth be told, I’m a bit worried about her being in a place with no rural services."

"Well, mate. Perhaps you could get the town council to think about getting one, then you and me could transfer out here."

Tom smiled over at Steve. He wasn’t really happy living in Coffs. Too many summer visitors seemed to want to hit on him all the time. Steve was a quiet bloke and would probably thrive at The Glen. Yes, it was something to think about.

"I wonder if they even have a town council yet," Tom mused.

As he reached the outskirts if the town, he turned the siren off, no traffic about in the sleepy hamlet at this time of night. He saw the lights at Millie’s and drew up outside. Steve was out in a flash with the emergency kit, and Tom was right behind him.

When they got inside, they saw a young man half sitting, half laying against the bottom step of the stairs. A pretty young girl was holding his hand, and an older woman was fussing around, trying to be useful.

"G’Day. Would you like to tell me what happened?" Tom asked.

The young man groaned and said he’d slipped on the stairs. Steve gently removed the ice pack from the injured ankle and shook his head.

"Looks nasty. Mate. Hurt much?"

"Only when I move…breath…look at it," Johnny answered, trying to make light of the situation so as not to upset the ladies.

"Good-o," Steve replied, looking down at the badly bruised, rapidly swelling ankle. "Grab a hold of this, Tom. I’ll go get the air splint and the chair."

Tom held onto Johnny’s foot gently making sure that it was immobile until Steve got back. "Feels like it’s broken, mate. We’ll take you back to Coffs for x-rays and the doc will tell you what needs to be done."

"Ta, mate, sorry to be a pain," Johnny said, looking at Tom closely for the first time. "Hey, haven’t I seen you around here?"

"You may have. My fiancée and I were here not too long ago having a look round."

"Maybe you should stay. If I’m anything to go by, you’d be a handy bloke to have on call," Johnny smiled up at him.

Just then, Steve got back with the equipment and Johnny’s lower leg was soon encased in the air splint.

"Okie dokie. We’re going to help you up and strap you into the chair. Can’t have you hopping out to the ambo can we," Tom giggled.

Tom and Steve got either side of Johnny to help him up. The young girl, who had been holding tightly onto his hand since they arrived, was reluctant to let him go, but realised he needed to be taken out to the ambulance. Johnny was soon strapped in and they wheeled him out to the waiting vehicle. As they opened the doors, the girl put her hand on Tom’s arm.

"I’m going with you," Amanda said.

"Are you a rellie?" Tom asked.

"No…I found him in a crumpled heap at the bottom of the stairs."

"Sorry, Luv, only family in the ambo," Tom told her regretfully.

"Mate, I don’t have anyone here, and I’m really scared to go to the hozzie on my own. Can you bend the rules a bit?" Johnny pleaded.

Tom looked from the ashen-faced Johnny, to the determined looking Amanda. "Alright, but if anyone asks when we get there, you’re either his sister or his girlfriend. We’ve got a 30 minute drive back to Coffs, you can take the time getting acquainted, then you’ll be able to give the right answer to any questions."

Amanda grinned at Tom and reached up to give him a quick peck on the cheek, then jumped up into the ambulance and grabbed hold of Johnny’s hand once again, smiling reassured at him.