Well, excuse me!

I have always enjoyed being a firefighter. The years have been good to me and the respect and admiration I receive from people every where I go is awesome. Since 9-11 it seems that there is a bit more appreciation shown. Very seldom do I encounter someone who does not like firefighters. However the ones that do stick out like sore thumbs.

Last night I responded to a medical call, a cancer patient who needed transport to the hospital. The street was narrow and muddy so finding an appropriate place to park wasn't easy. Across the street was a spot in front of a fence with two "NO PARKING" signs posted. I left the motor running and emergency flashers going to help my crew find the house.

Ice had already formed on the steps to the house so we proceeded cautiously. In less than 10 minutes since I had arrived, the patient was on board and I returned to my pickup. As I was about to pull away I noticed someone flashing a flashlight at me so I rolled down my window to see what they wanted.

"Do you see these signs? They say NO PARKING", the woman says as she points the flashlight down to illuminate the signs.

"Do you see that ambulance across the street? Your neighbor needs transport to the hospital", I replied.

The woman started to say something else quite stupid so as I started to pull away I yelled, "Pardon me for serving my community!"

Unfreaking believable!! I wonder what she had to say when she found the paramedic's vehicle parked in her carport until the ambulance returned, an hour and a half later!

I have a simple philosophy that has served me well, "Be polite". Encountering people like this makes that hard to do but she should be thankful that I drove away instead of stepping out of my vehicle and explaining the obvious to her.
It would not have been a pretty sight.

Thank God there are very few people like this. I found out this morning that she is a transplant from California. Apparently being polite when your neighbor is in need is beneath her. Wait till it's her turn to need the services of our fire, medical or police. Any bets that she will be singing a different tune?

Rescue Dog