If you follow Emergency Services Humour on Facebook, then you would have seen some of the articles which we have shared recently via our main page regarding our colleagues from the Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service who were held back from attending the Manchester Arena Blast.
Having read one of the articles, one of the Paramedics who was first on the scene after the blast, messaged us about one of the photos which we had found on the internet, that was used in one of the articles.
Her words are extremely touching, and we thought that it would be good to share them below (with the approval of the Medic who sent the message into us):
“This picture you posted with the article is of two young girls injured in the attack- the first patients I attended too on that night- the girl lying on the floor with blonde hair whom you can barely see stays with me, and perhaps upsets me the most.
Not because she was the worst injured but because she was genuinely terrified.
After I examined her, (she wasn’t actively bleeding) and tourniquet her leg, she asked me if she was going to die.
I leant close to her face and held it in my arms, and said “ no love- you are not going to die, we are going to come back to you, and I will speak to you soon, but I have to go now to help others”.
She said Thank you repeatedly, then she said “ I want my mum” this is only the second time I have been able to talk about these little things that tug on our heart strings, and as a second year student I am not allowed to talk with anyone about theses details.
I find it hard not to talk to people about what happened that night, my crew and I were one of the first on scene and the last to leave. Everyone tells me ‘ you did an amazing job’
But when will it FEEL like I did?
I was humbled to be there, and ALL our crews did an amazing job- I really wish there was more recognition- not criticism for them.”
COMMENT
Every one of the team here at emergency services humour & Emergency Services Media has served in the emergency services and that is one of the reasons as to why we also believe that as well as sharing light-hearted content, its important also to ensure that we highlight to the world some of the more challenging aspects which come with the job.
We also choose to support & help raise money for Minds’ #OurBlueLight project because the effect of serving on the frontline of the emergency services can affect people in many different ways.
But from time-to-time, we all could do with sharing some of our experiences – whether that be with a family member, a friend, an oppo or a complete stranger – sometimes it just helps to talk.
And if ever you feel that you would like to speak to someone from the #OurBlueLight team then do it – remember; you ARE only human. The human mind is not really ‘primed’ to be exposed to repeated traumatic events.
To find out more about the #OurBlueLight project, then click here.
