The debriefing was last night. It was very sad as expected however, it gave all of us involved a chance to vent and share our grief together. The paramedic who treated the fallen officer was there. You could tell he was really struggling with it and was grateful to have been included.1 We all got a chance to talk and share the experience from our own perspective. I think the PD units were visibly surprised at the deph of concern that we showed.
The meeting started off on a funny note courtesy of my absent-mindedness. My bud had given me a tshirt for Chrismas that read “I have a black belt in crazy” on the front of it2. I didn’t realize I’d warn it underneath my sweater and upon taking my sweater off it sparked a few laughs. I was so completely embarrassed.3 Ironically, I think it set just the right tone for the debriefing to get under way.
I also have to give props here to a certain shift manager who gave us the rest of the evening off. In the past, she has been my arch-enemy on union issues however, she really did show compassion thru this ordeal.
So now, I’m left to focus on the future and the year ahead. I have a reprieve from school for the next 6 months and will have my required EMT hours in by the end of January. Maybe, just maybe, I can squeeze a little bit of a social life in there somewhere.
2 I’m fond of saying, I don’t know karate but I do know crazy. The tshirt was a spoof on that.
3 A rare emotion for me.
How did you swing the reprieve from school? did you opt out for a semester? Well hopefully that keeps you clear until at least after Pride! Glad you have the break to breathe though.
Hmmm! I must have missed something on the events you experienced. Wasn’t sure about the fallen officer and what that was all about.
Boy, I wish I had a reprieve from school for at least 6 months. But then again, instructors aren’t afforded that luxury. 😉
Have some fun “squeezing” a bit of social life in there.
Thanks for the card. You made me laugh, you actually sent it. I am glad you were included in the debreifing. It sounds like there was healing in there and sometimes humor helps. Hugs.
A “social life”….it’s so overrated. Very glad to hear the debriefing went well. God, those things are hard. Love the t-shirt….it’s perfect. Andprobably true too! I’m in Oakland on a layover right now, in fact. Too bad you’re not closer……
I did my EMT license years and years ago….and let it lapse. Damn. Reallyloved working in the field though. Fascinating…and still think about it.