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On-scene behavior
I was at the scene of a mild MVA the other day, just sort of observing, since I got there without any gear, as it was on my way to the firehouse. I was the first to arrive, so I just made sure the entrapped woman was stable, and she was not injured, just elderly and couldn't get the drivers' side door open, since it was crushed in the collision. I reported my findings to the first arriving officer, then got out of the way and watched.
There was something leaking from under the car that got the attention of two of the firefighters, one being an officer. I didn't hear what was said, but they both laughed loudly at something.
I found it to be out of place: laughing at the scene of an accident. It's something that's always sort of bothered me. I think the scene of something like an accident or fire holds a certain degree of seriousness that deserves an applicable degree of sanctity. Laughing is inappropriate.
Am I becoming an old curmudgeon?
There was something leaking from under the car that got the attention of two of the firefighters, one being an officer. I didn't hear what was said, but they both laughed loudly at something.
I found it to be out of place: laughing at the scene of an accident. It's something that's always sort of bothered me. I think the scene of something like an accident or fire holds a certain degree of seriousness that deserves an applicable degree of sanctity. Laughing is inappropriate.
Am I becoming an old curmudgeon?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by WestPhilly on
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joemac,
What are you going for here? Of course it's not appropriate to laugh - to the extent that on-lookers notice - but if that was the worst of the worst, no big deal.
The loud-laugh notwithstanding, what kind of a job did they do?
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Permalink Reply by joemac on
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"They" weren't actually doing anything at the time, other than standing there with hands in pockets. The woman driver was being assisted out through the passenger's door. She glared at them. I was embarrassed.
Laughing WITH victims is another matter. I've done it, just as a matter of easing the situation. This is different (to me), sort of like laughing in church, or at a funeral. "Time and place..."
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Permalink Reply by Fabulous Heather Days of Summer on
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nervous laughter ?
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I see both sides of the issue...
Having been the patient - when rescuers I knew came to rescue me - and were laughing on scene while they were doing patient care and extrication - you are correct it was a little disconcerting to me as the patient - even though they were my friends - but it also had some level of a calming effect on me as well.
Did I think they were trying to be malicious NO - did I think they were concerned about me YES - were they somewhat participating in nervous laughter YES - were they also participating in comedic evaluation of the scene YES - were they a little bit too distracted with their jollyness to catch all of my needs YES - after I told them for the 2nd time I was having difficulty breathing, the entire tone on scene changed - do I think they should have noticed my breathing changes before I told them YES - you make a good point, when the patient is still there on scene, tone of the scene needs to be kept in check.
On the other hand - as the patient - really I could care less if you laugh, cry, yell or even cuss as long as you rescue my ass and save my life - but then again, maybe I am too forgiving and too liberal...
... and nervously laugh and make jokes sometimes when I am tired, confused or uncomfortable...
When I am on scene (or caring for patients in any setting) and I hear or see something inappropriate, I have no problem telling my colleagues (or bystanders) to knock it off or take it elsewhere (whatever they are doing that I think is inappropriate) away from those of us working.
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Permalink Reply by Fireman Larry on
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I agree with you whole heartedly, you have reason to be concerned. Like you said, you weren't actually doing anything at the time, other than standing there with hands in pockets, the fact that they were laughing, may of been at you, which could explain a lot. My question for you is, why did you go to the scene without any PPE, not to mention, med gear or apparatus, obviously you couldn't do anything, if someone was injured and you needed some equipment, maybe it would've been best to go to the station instead. You can be glad, your chief wasn't notified, if they're even half as strict as mine, you'd of been reprimanded for that. But as far as the "Laughing" it's no big deal, people do that, especially if something is funny.
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Permalink Reply by Jack/dt on
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Larry,
The accident was on the WAY to his station. Even if he didn't have any gear, he offered comfort to the driver and was able to give the arriving engine officer a size up. As for his hands in his pockets, should he have been standing at attention? (I'm guessing it was cold and he put on his air force gloves.)
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I'm not sure what the "air force gloves" part means.... LMAO
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Permalink Reply by Norm Tindell on
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Like Heather I see both sides. It's always a judgement call. Fatality? Serious onlooker interest? News photographer? I try to keep my cutting up to a minimum and do it when no one's looking, but I'm a prankster and a jokester anyway. Generally I don't see a problem with keeping things light as long as there isn't any extrication or patient care going on.
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Permalink Reply by Richard Armstrong on
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Ya laughing on scene has it's time and place.Like Norm said...fatality you would never ever.secre injury while work is being done I don't think so really no time to laugh except for maybe in the staging area.Minor accident no problem but it was kind of a bad scene to do it just as they are removing her from the car cause you never know how she's going to take it.It is definately better left for after the patient is gone or out of ear shot.FF descretion but remember their is always somebody watchin or maybe taping and pictures are always bad cause they just tell one story and that is "Firefighters laughing at an accident scene"
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Permalink Reply by StacyS on
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Not at all. I believe that we need to be professionals on scene. Now what we do/say in the rig on the way back or at the station when repacking-that is a whole nother story! ;o) We tend to be sick and twisted individuals....wouldn't have it any other way! Imagine the burn out if we didn't get rid of the stress...
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Permalink Reply by Mark Klaene on
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While laughing , joking on scene or around victims must be controlled, for many of us that have been doing this a long time and seen a lot of bad things these are called coping mechanisms. They are often a necessary part of this kind of work. Yes we have to be sensitive to the victims , for me I try to engage them in some light heartedness when possible to get their minds of their problems and pain. But unless you have been there and done that you can't criticize those that have if that is what keeps them sane. It still needs to be in good taste but sometimes laughter is the best medicine for us and them.
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