On the Scene Ii: Status Check

By George O. Love

The Wright family continues with their lives in On The Scene II: Status Check. After the tragic shooting on the Texas Tower, Stacy finds herself in a struggle to help her father save the life of her mother, taken down by a would be suitor. Stacy and Kimberly continue their quest for gymnastic titles while tragedies they deal with their chaotic and exciting home life.
Kevins work remains a constant source of controversy between him and Helen, but Helens brush with death opens her eyes her past actions and the family she has betrayed. New experiences open to all our characters as they deal with day to day life, life and death situations and more complicated societal issues. Kevin rescues a child for the second time during On The Scene II. A tragedy brings the Wright family together, yet ambitions threaten to tear them apart.
Sit back and ride along. More emergency calls place stress on Kevin, his staff and his family!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 13, 2009
• ISBN: 9781469114835

George O. Love

George O. (Pete) Love is an EMT-Paramedic from Middle Tennessee. He attended MTSU majoring in Music and English. He also attended Volunteer State Community College and majored in Paramedic Technology. His published articles have appeared in Emergency Magazine, Highlights for Children and Collage. He is married and has six children.

Book preview

Status Check

George O. (Pete) Love

Copyright © 2009 by George O. (Pete) Love.

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in by any means, graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, taping, recording or by any storage media without written consent of the author or publisher except in the case of brief quotations used in reviews

and critical articles.

Any similarity between the characters portrayed in this book and real life are purely coincidental. Actual ambulance calls have been used to base some of the calls in this book and have been fictionalized to

stay in character with this novel.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

48161

Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Rescue on the Tower

Arrest

Studio

Stacy

Kimberly

Breaking the News

Surgery

The News

Press Conference

Sunday Afternoon

Laura

Kevin

Joyce

Stacy and Kimberly

Recovery

School

Work

Amanda and Laura

Kevin

Stress Relief

Crystal Comes Home

New Surroundings

Stacy’s Press Conference

Chasing Demons

Laura, Stacy and Kimberly

Crystal

Helen’s Show

Beach Call

Crystal, Stacy, Kimberly and

the Peeping Tom

Fire Call

Home

The Crew

Joyce

Clean Bills of Health

Kimberly

Golf

Amanda’s Progressive Dream

Stacy and Kimberly

Crystal and Helen

Training and Psychology

Settling In

Work and School:

3 Days to Regionals

New Kids in School

Checking Things Out

Stormy Day

Friday:

The Day Before Regionals

Competition:

Day One

Competition Day Two:

Finals

Bobby

Leslie

Stacy

Still to Come

Dedication

I would like to dedicate this second book of the On The Scene series to Yvonne, a dear friend whose accident inspired the idea for this series of books, my wife who is a constant source of encouragement, my two girls who test read each book and to my sons who are busy pursuing their own lives and doing so very successfully, and last to the families of those who, in spite of the very best efforts of EMTs and Paramedics, have suffered the loss of a family member or friend. We fight for life, but we don’t have an unbeaten record.

Acknowledgements

First of all, many thanks to Care Ambulance Inc. for the permission to use the photos which make up the cover of this book, On The Scene II, Status Check. These photos put more real life back into the stories!

I would also like to thank Dr. Mary Keown of Pediatric Associates of Nashville for technical and medical advice. This was invaluable in designing the personality of one of the characters.

Rescue on the Tower

Mom! yelled Stacy.

Kevin quickly got to his feet but Stacy had gotten to her feet quicker and was already running toward her mother.

Dad, Mom’s hurt! Stacy yelled over her shoulder as she ran to her mother’s aid.

Kevin ran to Helen’s side. In the short time it took Kevin to cover this distance, he was changing his personae to the Paramedic and trying to put the husband part of him aside. Must be completely impartial, he was thinking to himself. Can’t allow emotions to get in the way here.

But there were emotions and they were running high. This was the mother of his children, this was his wife. If both people were injured, he had to triage them 100% based on the injuries and survivability factors, not on how they were related to him or what the emotions of the moment might be at the time.

Greg was right behind Kevin. Kevin could hear his footsteps behind him as they made their way towards the two patients. Another problem for Kevin; Stacy was slightly ahead of them, and there was no way Kevin could shield her from this scene without jeopardizing patient care.

In fewer words, this sucked rocks in a big way, but Stacy surprised her Dad as she quickly placed her hand over the most serious wound. She looked up to her father for her next move. He grabbed a large piece of gauze, an ABD pad, and placed it under her hand. She pressed as hard as she could, and she could feel the bleeding begin to slow. She was assisting her father to save a life, her mother’s life, and it felt great. Kevin’s crew was already mobilizing to assist him treat these two patients. The instant his crew left the helipad, the LifeFlight helicopter began its descent to the landing pad. In this circumstance, the more help, the better. The LifeGuard helicopter had lifted off to make space for Laura’s LifeFlight helicopter to land and was hovering, prepared to touch down and transport at a moment’s notice. The scene was becoming very crowded with police and medical personnel.

Amanda exited the LifeFlight helicopter first with Laura close behind. They were at Kevin’s side quickly and they began to assess the two patients. Kevin expected the worst. In his years of service, he had found this to be the best route to take. Expect the worst and anything better would be a bright spot. Kevin took a deep breath as he continued to examine his wife with help from Greg, Amanda and Joyce. Laura, Randy, Reggie and Marie took charge of the camera operator.

In a worst case scenario, there would be two victims without any signs of circulation. She’s still breathing, Amanda said. Not well, but she’s breathing.

Stacy watched the scene around her with a detached amazement. She was in the middle of the action and so much was going on around her, it was hard to follow. Look for an exit wound, Kevin ordered in his most professional voice. She’s looking pretty shocky. Vitals?

50 palp, Amanda reported. Pulse 160, resp at 32. Keep pressure on that wound, hon. You’re doing great! Then she said to Kevin in a lower voice out of Stacy’s hearing, Kevin, she’s in big trouble. We need oxygen, we need some lines and we need them fast.

Joyce quickly placed Helen on oxygen while Greg spiked two bags of normal saline and cleared the lines. Kevin had the veins ready to stick and got the first line in with no trouble. Greg took the second needle and quickly placed the second line.

Laura’s crew was examining their patient and had a very serious situation as well. The camera operator was not exchanging air well and her respirations were getting shallower with every breath.

Tension pnuemo! Laura said. We’ve got to needle her chest.

Landmarks located, Randy said. Verify fourth intercostal space, tracheal deviation to the right, jugular veins distended, diminished breath sounds on the right and left, hyper-resonance on the left.

Good enough for me. Needle in! The camera operator showed almost immediate improvement with her respirations, but she was still in trouble.

Shit! Jugulars are still distended, her heart tones are muffled, Laura complained. She’s got to go now. No more play time folks, this is load and go.

The two helicopters played musical landing pads as they quickly loaded both women into the helicopters and transported them to the trauma units. Laura had the priority patient and transported her to the Houston Trauma Center.

Helen was transported to Hermann Hospital Trauma Center and if ever there was a time for prayer, it was now. The wounds the women had suffered did not come from the gunshot directly, but from the bullet striking the camera. Once the bullet struck the camera lens, large pieces of glass shattered from the camera and impaled themselves into the two women’s bodies. Both were struck in the chest.

The camera operator had a piece of glass in her left lung and another in her pericardial sack. Helen had two pieces of glass in her left upper chest, one in her right lung and another in her right upper quadrant of her abdomen.

Arrest

Marco struggled to break free, but the officers had him cuffed and face down on the hard surface. From his position he could not see who he hit or the efforts to save their lives. He did see Stacy with blood on her hands, arms and legs. Her leotard had blood on it as well. The sparkles still caught the bright sunlight and reflected back into his eyes. The pilot loaded Stacy in the second helicopter. Marco froze as their eyes locked. If a girl ever deserved to die, Stacy deserved to die for ruining his plans. He tried feebly to get away from the officers, but they held him firmly.

Let’s go, move it scumbag! the first officer ordered. Marco’s feet would not move fast enough for the officers on their own and they all but dragged him across the rooftop to the elevator.

You scumbag! someone yelled from the gaggle of reporters and news crews on the roof. Officers hurried him towards the elevators to avoid the possibility of bystander vengeance.

Get me outta here! Marco all but demanded of the officers

You are some piece of work. How bout we just take these cuffs off and let these people do the state a favor? How’d you like that tough guy?

They kept Marco on a short leash while in the elevator and transported him to police headquarters for detainment. They allowed him the customary phone call. He called his attorney and waited. They hoped for the judge to set his bail low, but the bail judge ordered Marco held without bail until his preliminary hearing in 10 days. Bail would be set at that time based on Marco’s conduct and risk of flight.

Marco’s attorney was also trying to get the attempted murder in the first-degree charge reduced to attempted second-degree manslaughter, but the prosecutor stood firm on the charges. For the first time in his life, Marco could not talk or buy his way out of this. He had to see it through.

Studio

Are we still on air? Are we still getting live feed from the Tower? demanded the news director.

We’re still on the air, but God I wish we weren’t.

Jess was still reporting the incident from the anchor desk and following all of Helen’s tips along the way. Stay cool, keep focused, and stay alert to the directions you get through your earpiece, read hard copy before the teleprompter scripts. She handled it like a pro and was hoping to get a sign off so she could break down off camera.

Jess, we have a crew at Hermann, Gloria said. We’re switching to them live now. Hold it together a few more seconds and we can go clear.

We switch from this tragic scene atop the Texas Commerce Tower to Hermann Hospital. Valerie Stephens is outside the entrance to the Trauma Unit and she brings us this report.

"Jess, as our viewers know and many of us witnessed just moments ago, our own Helen Wright was seriously injured when a shot was fired into a crowd of reporters and production assistants during a promotional shoot atop the Texas Commerce Tower. Also injured was Channel 12’s camera operator Sharon Wilson who was taken to the Houston Trauma Center.

We understand that the injuries sustained to both women are life threatening. Both were air lifted from the Tower in critical condition. From what we could hear, the medics were able to stabilize both patients, but neither of them showed any signs of improvement.

From talking to the hospital PR staff at both hospitals, they have asked that we not speculate on the patients conditions at this time and a press conference will be called at 4:00 PM local time."

Thank you for that update, Valerie, Jess said. Have you been able to speak to any of the medics involved?

"Not at this time Jess, but we do understand that one of the medics on the scene was Helen’s husband. Helen’s older daughter was clearly seen assisting her father as he fought to save her life. That has to be one of the hardest and most gruesome tasks a child could ever perform.

Has anyone identified the person who took the gunman down? Jess pressed.

"We do not know the identity of that person at this time, but it appears he also was a former HFD employee who has for the past few years been living on the streets. Witnesses reported they saw this man assist in treating the patients on the rooftop. Witnesses on the scene also give this man credit for saving several lives as he saw the weapon in the gunman’s hand and shouted a warning before the single shot was fired.

We are about over an hour and a half away from the scheduled press conference and we will cover that event live to you at 4:00 PM local time. Until then, this is Valerie Stephens for News 1. Back to you in the studio.

Thank you, Valerie, Jess said. To recap, a single shot fired into a group of news crews on top of the Texas Commerce Tower has injured our own News 1 Anchor Helen Wright and Channel 12’s camera operator Sharon Wilson. Both women were airlifted to the trauma units in the medical district in critical condition. A press conference has been scheduled for 4:00 PM local time which is about an hour and forty five minutes from now. Until then, we would like to once again air Helen’s latest story on her own two young gymnasts as they train for the Junior Olympic Regionals. We ask that you join with us in wishing this family the best of luck and if it is your belief to pray, offer up a prayer for them as well.

And we’re clear, the news director said.

Jess had kept her composure well during the story, but now she could no longer keep her emotions inside. She could not even get up from the anchor desk, but she laid her head on the desk and cried openly.

She needs this time, Gloria told one of the PA’s who was going to try to help her leave the newsroom. That kid did a great job with that story. I’m calling Helen’s husband to see if we have any good news.

Jess could not help but think about the training she had in school. They teach you to be objective and not let emotions show, but Helen was the top female anchor outside the network stations and she was her mentor. That made it too personal.

She had to pull herself back together for the news conference that would come on air shortly. She raised her head from the desk, gathered the tear stained copy and tried to leave the desk to go to makeup. She did not have to leave. The makeup artist and the rest of the news crew were there with her, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the news room.

Stacy

Stacy was scared, more scared than she had ever been in her life. The co-pilot grabbed her quickly and placed her in the helicopter for the quick ride to the hospital. She could see and hear the frantic efforts to keep her mother alive going on in the back of the helicopter.

She strained against the safety harness as she turned to watch her dad and his long time partner fight to save her mother’s life. If this was the last time she would see her mother alive, she wanted to see her for as long as she could. The back of the helicopter was very crowded, so much so that she had a hard time seeing anything, but what she did see made her proud of her father and what he did for a living. This was where reality TV leaves off and reality takes over. There were no producers deciding what good TV was and what wasn’t. This was reality and she had been a part of helping save her mother’s life, if they were successful.

Amanda was at her mother’s head and kept a running conversation with Stacy’s mother. Stacy and Amanda’s eyes met and Stacy was immediately struck at the compassion held in those big brown eyes. They were bright and positive, much like the look she saw in her father as he cared for patients. Stacy also noticed that Greg, a great friend and partner to her dad was helping as much as he could in the cramped quarters. He was holding her mom’s hand, helping place a tube in her mother’s chest and holding IV bags. He talked in short bursts as they reported her mother’s condition.

Stacy also noticed one thing about all of the rescuers. It was something she knew she would remember all of her life. Her mother was covered in blood. Blood was everywhere it seemed, but not a single person in the back of the helicopter had bothered to put on a pair of protective gloves. She could understand her dad not wearing gloves to treat her mom, but the rest of the crew?

Stacy looked at her own hands. She had her mother’s blood on her hands as well. She was a step ahead of her dad and she placed her right hand on what she thought was the worst of her mother’s wounds. She must have been right, because her dad had her press very hard while they placed gauze over the wound.

The pilot glanced at Stacy once they were airborne. She managed a weak smile at him, and he motioned for her to put the helmet on. She strapped the helmet on and she could hear the staccato voices over the headphones. The pilot’s voice came through over them all.

We’ll be landing in a few seconds. I’ll take you to the hospital myself, so don’t go jumping out. The blades on this helicopter swing very low in front and I don’t want you to get hurt. Your sister is in the ER and she’s pretty shook up right now. She’s going to need you.

Does she know?

No, but she knows we had to leave her to get back to the Tower. She’s been yelling at me over the handheld I gave her. She’s pretty upset.

Thanks was all Stacy could manage to say. She could imagine Kimberly fuming in the waiting area. She wasn’t the most patient person in the world, and leaving her in the ER without an explanation must have really set her off.

I’ve seen your Dad save people who were much worse off than your mom, Stacy. Have faith, trust in his skills and say a few prayers.

The Sikorsky S-76 set down on the helipad and the awaiting ground crew was ready to transport them the short distance to the ER. Stacy wanted to ride with them, but she obeyed the pilot and waited for him to escort her out of the aircraft.

Come on! Let’s get you inside, he said. You may want this to cover up and help keep you warm once we you get in the waiting room. It is a hospital and it will be chilly. Your sister was about to freeze! He gave Stacy her warm up suit and she quickly pulled the pants on as she ran with the pilot to the hospital’s security car.

You really think my mom is going to live?

Stacy, she had the best crew possible working on her. It’s in the hands of the trauma surgeons now, but she had the best of care before the surgeons get their turn.

Stacy closed her eyes and began to pray silently to herself. There were several small prayers she could remember as a child, but her father had told her not to worry about fancy words or phrases when she wanted to pray. Just talk and he will listen, just like you talk to me and I listen.

Those words meant so much to her right now, and she talked and hoped He would give her the answer she wanted.

Kimberly

Something had happened on the Tower was all the pilot told Kimberly as he ran back to his helicopter. Stay in the ER waiting room and I’ll be back shortly were his instructions.

Suddenly, there was a lot of activity in the ER. Doctors and nurses were getting ready for someone to come through their doors and break the seal to Trauma Room 1.

Kimberly was still in her leotard and the ER waiting room was very chilly indeed. The pilot had left her a blanket, but she forgot to grab it.

I’m freezing my butt off in here, she complained to him. The handheld radio he gave her was a direct line to his radio.

She demanded to know what was going on and why he had dumped her in the ER. She had no idea what was going on and she was not a very happy camper. One of the security guards offered her a jacket which she was glad to accept. At least now she wouldn’t turn blue from hypothermia. She ran to Stacy as soon as she saw her coming through the double sliding doors.

Stacy! What happened? Are you hurt?

No Kim, I’m not hurt. This isn’t my blood. I helped Dad with a patient.

Not Marco. Please tell me you didn’t help take care of Marco. He was going to let us get hurt and blame Mom, you know that don’t you? I hope he gets what he deserves!

Kim, Dad will be with us in a couple of minutes. Goodness, where are your warm-ups?

Somewhere on the Tower. I’ve been in there freezing my butt off. Look! She displayed the goose bumps present all over her arms and legs.

Here, take my jacket. I’ll be okay with just the pants. Come with me to the bathroom. I need to wash my hands.

We did it didn’t we! Kimberly was now excited over their part in Marco’s downfall. We made sure everyone knew he was just using us and Mom as well. It was perfect.

That was perfect. Stacy had to agree with Kimberly. The plan had worked. We both would have been hurt pretty bad if we did the routine on the bars he had set up. I think I got all the blood off. Do I?

Yeah, you’re clean. Aren’t you going to tell me who you helped Dad treat?

Not until Dad comes out and says its okay. You know they have all those new rules against talking about patients. I’d really feel better not talking about it until we’re with Dad and Aunt Laura.

Stacy didn’t want to be the one to tell Kimberly about their mother. That was one thing she simply could not do by herself. Kimberly made sure she told Stacy about the way the pilot had just dumped her off in the ER waiting area.

Stacy. I swear that pilot just left me in here to freeze. He could have let me wait outside. What do they do in here to keep it so cold? Hello! I’m a gymnast and I’m low on body fat right now.

Kimberly was pacing the ER family room, moving from one seat to the other, picking up every magazine there was to see. Basically, doing what she always did, bounce from one thing to another. She eyed the room carefully.

Stacy, think I can do a front flip in here? Before Stacy could protest, her sister had popped a front flip, only to repeat her performance from the beach by busting her bottom on the carpeted floor.

Kim, do you have to try that everywhere? Save it for the gym.

I was just trying to make you laugh. That hurt my butt. Think I could get an ice pack?

Kimberly’s last joke about the ice pack always got Stacy to laugh. For some reason, the sight of her sister with an ice pack covering her entire behind just brought up a hilarious image in her head. Stacy cracked up and almost fell from her seat.

You always get me with that one, Kim. An ice pack on that butt of yours? Please!

Kimberly was satisfied she did her bit to help Stacy lighten up. She picked herself up from the floor and gently rubbed her behind. Maybe that ice pack wouldn’t be such a bad idea after all.

Breaking the News

Kevin watched as they wheeled his wife into Trauma Room 1. Many times in his past, he had broken the seal to that same room. This time was different. He had to stop at the door while Amanda went into the room. She was the lead on this call and she was the most impartial. Kevin washed his hands and took a deep, deep breath. Amanda had given report and was washing up beside him.

Someone you know? she asked.

That’s my wife, but thanks for asking and thanks for the assistance. Now, I have to tell my girls. My older girl knows, but her sister doesn’t.

My God! Aren’t you the Paramedic who was on the news the other night? I know I’ve seen your face several times since we moved here.

I’m afraid that’s me. I can’t hide from the camera quickly enough to stay off the news but I do get the chance to put in a big plug for safety, and maybe that could help save a few lives. I want to say thanks again for all you did today.

I’m just doing my job. You’re a good medic; I mean you’re really good. Have you ever thought of becoming a flight medic?

You’re kidding me right? I earned these wings the hard way. I let my sister do that full time medevac stuff. I still love the challenge of the streets. You know, now that the adrenalin is wearing off, you look very familiar.

Yes, Amanda laughed. I am kidding. Seriously though, I should look familiar, maybe. Last time you saw me, I was flat of my back in a helicopter. We first met when I was upside down with a car on my head. Kevin was shocked to say the least.

Kevin, you saved my life about short while ago. I’m glad you were there for me. Today, you kept your head very well up there. You were totally objective and I’m impressed. From what my husband told me, you spent a lot of time talking with him after my accident. He said our girls took a natural liking to you also. I’d like to offer to help you break the news to your girls. Your older daughter handled herself very well, but if your younger child is like mine, she’s going to fall apart.

Kevin rarely accepted any assistance from anyone except Laura when it came to dealing with his daughters. Laura was always his back up, but today was a different case.

I think I could use a hand. It was then he remembered her name. So much had happened; the name had been lost in the shuffle. Amanda?

Yes, I’m Amanda. Let’s go talk to your girls. I’ve got your back.

Kevin felt an odd sense of comfort in accepting help from Amanda. The girls were in the room reserved for families at the Trauma Center. When Kevin opened the door, they both rushed to him and grabbed him in strong bear hugs.

Amanda was close behind Kevin. Stacy looked into her eyes and immediately felt a sense of comfort. Kimberly was a bundle of nerves. Amanda could feel her tension. Years of meditation had sharpened her sensitivity and gave her the ability to almost see the tension build in a person.

Girls, we need to talk. Kevin was very surprised at how calm his voice was at this point. The two girls sat on the sofa and left room between them for their father. Amanda sat on the arm of the sofa close to Kimberly.

Are we in trouble? Kimberly could not stand the tension any longer. She was sure the something that had gone wrong meant she was in trouble because she fell off the weakened uneven bars.

No, you are not in trouble. Amanda softly touched Kimberly’s hair. The touch would have normally caused her to flick her head to get away from the person messing with her hair, but she sat still and allowed Amanda to softly touch her head.

There was an accident after you left the Tower. Kevin was doing his best to deliver this news in a calm voice. He knew if he left emotions take over; Kimberly would not react well to the news. He decided to get straight to the point.

Stacy helped me save a life today, Kim. There was an accident. Marco had a gun. We didn’t know about it, we did not even think about the possibility of him being armed today.

He tried to kill our Mom, Kim. It was Stacy who could not hold back any longer.

He shot Mom! Kimberly yelled. She was furious at this man and it was safe to say that if he were anywhere she could have gotten to him, he would have not seen another day.

"Kim, it’s more complicated than that. Greg showed up out of nowhere today. He tackled Marco as he tried to shoot Mom. Greg made him miss her, but the bullet hit a camera. The camera was right beside