This is Not a Caption Contest Entry
FIREFIGHTERS IN ST. AUGUSTIN, GERMANY, were confronted with an obstacle during their recovery of a woman from an icy river last month. The Feuerwehr Augustin has just now released this photo and the story about the water rescue attended by an ambulance crew that was reluctant to get wet.
The woman had been caught in flood waters on January 16 and was trapped in a swift current and extremely cold waters when the fire department arrived. Earlier a police officer had plunged into the waters and kept the woman safe while the firefighters, using a life ring and safety rope, got hold of the victim and pulled her to safety. But her place of refuge was surrounded by about one inch of water and the two ambulance medics would not wade through the puddle-depth waters to treat her, claiming that the were not equipped to walk through the water because their feet would get wet.
So the two “water averse” medics were carried piggy-back to where the woman was laying awaiting examination before they put her into an air ambulance that was standing by to transport her to the hospital.
Feuerwehr Augustin photo
After the incident was over, the fire officer would not say anything publicly about this new rescue technique other than to say that it was discussed “behind closed doors.” The spokesman for the ambulance service put his best attempt at protecting his agency’s reputation by saying that the ambulance crews are not provided with equipment comparable to the Feuerwehrmans and it would have been too costly for them to wade out there. The cost being measure by the medic having to take off work for the rest of the day because of his wet feet.
The police official in charge was not too impressed with that excuse, pointing out that his officer had plunged into the river wearing his regular uniform and service revolver.
The General-Anzeiger has this story HERE.
Firegeezer notes that the medics have no doubt picked up some new nicknames by now. Perhaps the FF’s pressed into mule duty will have a new one as well.
Hat tip: Christian Lewalter.
