A Siren in the Distance

As a rule of thumb, motorists should always move as far to their left as possible to make way for emergency vehicles, however, not so far that they go into the Emergency Lane as this will always be our first choice of route.


On our congested roads, ambulances rushing from accident to accident are a commonplace occurrence. However, precisely because our roads are so grid-locked with traffic, paramedics struggle to weave their ambulances to their patients.


People react stupid when they see an ambulance or hear an ambulance behind them. Some people hit anchors the moment they see or hear us. The public in general get upset with emergency vehicles passing through.


A further frustration for paramedics is when people refuse to go through red traffic lights in order to make way for the emergency response vehicle. Some motorists won’t, under any circumstances, go over a red traffic light, or move into an intersection before the traffic light turns green, for fear of getting a fine. They need to understand that should they receive a fine, they simply let authorities know that they ignored the red traffic light as they were taking evasive action to clear path for an emergency vehicle. If there is a camera at an intersection, it will take a photo of the ambulance too – making it easy to prove.


Motorists who travel with their music very loud don’t hear us behind them and don’t concentrate on the passing emergency vehicle.

The Silent Heroes

Motor Vehicle accidents are a daily and common thing for our families and friends. Accidents always receive plenty coverage by the media, but the paramedics and other rescuers go un-thanked for the work that they do.


Horrific scenes work subconsciously on these paramedics on a daily basis. A paramedic once said that: “Our job is a passion, a calling. The desire to be a paramedic is in your blood. It is in no way a decision you can enter to lightly. Neither is it a career on chooses for the money, hours or work environment.


Losing a patient is a terrible think to face, something which we have to deal with constantly. The hardest part of the job is when you are unable to save a child or baby. They are robbed of their lives much too soon. Losing older patients are slightly easier as they have at least had a chance to experience life.”


“Occasionally we respond to scenes where the patient is a friend, family member, acquaintance or colleague, these are particularly difficult o deal with, especially when you know there is nothing you can do to save their life”




Source: CAXTON// N Belseck

Unusual Flooding in Wilgeheuwel

Flooding occurred recently in Nic Diedericks drive next to the Panorama Cemetery. Citi Golf was swept from the road after a flash flood passed over this narrow road. This road is not common for flooding and no trace of previous flooding was found. Paramedics searched hours for the driver, only to realise that he escaped with no injuries earlier and went home.