Close Calls
Explore our Close Calls directory, where EMS professionals share real-life stories and lessons learned from near-miss incidents in the field. This collection offers valuable insights into the importance of situational awareness, decision-making, and teamwork in preventing serious outcomes. Understanding these close calls is crucial for improving safety and performance. For more insights, visit our section on Safety Protocols. Learn from others’ experiences to better navigate critical situations.
Dallas Fire-Rescue Firefighter-Paramedic William An was shot in his arm and leg while helping a victim who was lying in the middle of an East Dallas street
A rescue boat capsized as first responders in Transylvania County tried to reach people in flood waters
Broward County firefighter and paramedic Eric DeLotta suffered three heart attacks and faces years of rehabilitation
An Austin Travis County EMS medic was preparing to exit the ambulance through the back doors when the vehicle was struck by an alleged drunk driver
Police are investigating whether the bolt was intentionally thrown at the rig
A car can been seen nearly striking first responders before hitting an emergency vehicle head-on
The two Ava Ambulance District employees managed to escape uninjured, but the rig was destroyed
Firefighter-Paramedic Peter Joyce captured the incident on a GoPro fitted to his chest
Brick Police Sgt. Charlie Kelly used the Heimlich maneuver after EMT Katelyn Lammer began choking on her food
A pickup truck struck with bullets crashed into the ambulance after the shooting
Police officers lifted the car off Justin Muller, a 23-year-old Army specialist, and paramedics treated his collapsed lung at the scene
Dwayne Nienberg and Janelle Nienberg were responding to a crash in their POV when their pickup truck left the roadway and rolled onto its top
Chief Dan Miller has no memory of dialing 911 on Sept. 18, opening the door of his home to a paramedic he’d trained six months earlier and dropping to the floor
James Prudenciano had bought the watch two days earlier and chose to activate the “fall detection” feature
“This family, this crew, these team members ... if it hadn’t been for them, I wouldn’t be here right now,” Sgt. Darrow Harden said
EMT Melvin Reed helped save an 18-year-old lifeguard, who later became a firefighter, when a roof collapsed over a preschool swimming class
Dean Zalesnik was taking a walk with his dog when he noticed his neighbor had fallen face down on the grass
Capt. Latorrence Norris and firefighter Vinnie Harper were stabbed by a patient while en route to a hospital last week
Officials said rainy weather conditions may have contributed to the crash
Kimberly Stephens, a 20-year paramedic veteran, broke nearly every major bone in her body
Stacie Logan, 29, collapsed while running on a treadmill and was in cardiac arrest for about six minutes while staff members and strangers performed CPR on her
“I just didn’t think that would happen to me,” Don Hauge, a 38-year EMS veteran, said
Paul Sanchez hopes to return to work by the end of the year after being suspended by his seat belt in the head-on collision
Johnny McCabe was treated by the fire chief and his fellow firefighters after he collapsed
A Tomah Area Ambulance Service crew was transporting a patient in emergency mode when flames began shooting out from under the rig, forcing the crew to pull over and evacuate
Paramedic Del Black and EMT Gregg Shearer were training museum employees in CPR when Don Mahoney collapsed while volunteering at the same place
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