Wednesday, April 27, 2016

A rescue truck and a ghost radio operator

At one time there was one actual rescue company that covered seven fire districts, (Southeastern Connecticut). Originally it was stationed pretty much central to all those fire departments but because it was a volunteer company and most of the members of the outfit lived in one of the western most towns the unit was moved to that station. It made no sense to have people drive all the way to that central town to pick up the unit then head to wherever the call was. Plus the station it moved to had bunk rooms with people staying at night and paid drivers during the day. The Fire Department members didn't mind because they were essentially drafted into the rescue company when it arrived and since it increased both training time and calls, no one minded.

One night sitting at the firehouse, we got a call for a head on collision three towns away. The vehicle was a squad type with seating for two comfortably or three squished. We were called for the Hurst tool. We signed on and hit the road, the Rescue Captain signed on from his vehicle. I had just made the turn onto the street with the accident, I could see the scene, and had already decided where to place the unit. I picked up the Mic to give my on scene when I heard our unit calling the Fire Department Chief on the scene. The lieutenant and I looked at each other, as our unit number called to ask for directions to the scene. By now had pulled up about 10 feet away from the Chief, he looked over at us questioningly and replied, you're fine right there. I gave our "on scene" message to dispatch. About 20 seconds went by when the Rescue Captain's call sign called the Chief looking for directions, amazingly enough in the same voice which had ghost called from our unit. The Chief looked over at us and laughed then told the Captain they were all set he wasn't needed. 

After the people were extricated, the only fatality being a dog which was riding in the back of a pickup involved in the accident, the Chief came over laughing, he said he was trying to figure out why we would call when we were there. He recognized the voice and thought he was on board. When he called as his own call sign the Chief realized that the Captain didn't want anyone to know he had no idea where he was going.



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