I will assume the lights where flashing and the siren was in use so how did the driver of the yellow car miss this one? Then again, people miss big yellow school busses with flashing lights infront of them.

I will assume the lights where flashing and the siren was in use. there may have ben going 2 fast nobody will know this but the driver. im glad nobody really got hert.

Have to find the hot dog ambulance driver a spot on the State Police where she'll fit right in. Maybe she can be Baldacci's chauffeur.

Why would anyone assume the lights and siren were flashing and/or sounding if the story says that investigators are unsure? Ambulances do transfer patients from one facility to another with out using lights and sirens. My grandmother has ben transferred from our local hospital to Eastern Maine Hospital, as well as from Eastern Maine to a nursing home -- neither time were lights or sirens used. Perhaps readers should consider hearing all the facts before making assumptions.

Typo correction: "My grandmother has BEEN transferred..."

Love how everyone thinks they know what happened when even the police don't know!! Come on people, maybe it was just an accident!!! They do happen from time to time!!

Wow, so quick to put the smack down on the ambulance driver. It's amazing to see the assumptions that happen in these comment boxes. I'm not sure why BDN admins let some of you people keep posting here.

I've been in EMS since 1997 and have seen a LOT of things. As a matter of fact, my mom was driving an ambulance one day when it was totaled. The operator of a car was speeding through an intersection heard the siren, but because the she was late to work she was doing 45 MPH in a 25MPH zone. The ambulance was creeping in to the blind intersection (due to vehicles of store customers parked on the side of the road blocking vision to the south) and WHAM! The car slammed in to the side of the ambulance. The car operator was faulted for it.

I wonder how JWBooth has made the determination already that Kelsi is a hot dog ambulance driver. Maybe he has psychic powers?? I've logged many hours on ambulances both in the back and driving. The amount of stress that a driver has on their shoulders, apparently some of you people can't understand. The are drivers on the road who are dumber than dogS)(it. I have been running with lights and sirens, only to have a driver flip up their rear view mirror and ignore the ambulance's presence behind them. I've run with lights and sirens and had on coming traffic pull over to their right while some dumb@$$ behind them swings out around and PASSES!!! I've run with lights and sirens and had a vehicle not pull over, I followed them for miles only for them to slow down and put on their left directional. I've run with lights and sirens with a CARDIAC ARREST in the back and had the cable TV van not yield the right of way.

I could go on and on and on and so could every other emergency services driver. Until YOU have been in our shoes, you can't pass judgement.

Get a friggin' clue!

Well anonymousmainer this is why I said I am assuming. I don't know if they where on and I'm well aware that people are transported without the use of lights and sirens as I used to be a firefighter/EMT myself.

I'm also pretty damn sure they have updated this story since the first time I read it. Mabye I'm having a tard moment, it happens but some new details seem to be in place now.

DON'T BLAME YELLOW CAR DRIVERS...

i love my little car!

JWBooth (i really like your s/n) LOL... Baldacci's probably gonna need some Rogaine when the black fist riots Tuesday.

What the hell is a 21 year old driving an ambulance for? That thought frightens me!!! I know it sounds like a form of ageism, but I truly do not believe that a person of such young an age has the driving experience to deal with all of the crazy drivers out there, let alone transport a 97 year old grandma! Geez, just ask yourself one question. Would you want a 21 year old to transport your 97 year old mother or grandmother?... I didn't think so... I would love to know what was distracting Kelsi as she could not see that the traffic had stopped! Maybe she was texting or talking on her cell phone like many people her age do! Could have been worse I suppose. She could have been smoking or shoving a big fat burger in her face. I know many people will get offended by this, but it's a fact that young drivers cause more accidents which is why their insurance is higher. So why in the world would a hospital hire someone who barely has 5 years of driving experience, provided she even got her license at the age of 16? Who knows maybe she only got it last year... Makes you wonder what their requirements are... And yes, I am being judgemental without knowing the facts, but the fact is, this YOUNG driver was distracted. If she would have been paying attention, she would have noticed that the other vehicles had stopped. So as far as I'm concerned, this accident was HER FAULT and she should no longer be driving for the hospital!!!! Hey, does the hospital have any jobs for professional texters?? ASAMOF my BFF has been AWLTP but is lookin 4 a JOB now. FIF - LOL. Too bad the situation isn't though.... I hope Grandma Doris and everyone else are ok. And sorry to hear that so many lost power yesterday since it was so cold...

I'm sorry, but if she can't handle the stress of the job she should really find another line of work to be in.

NishGirl- What is your deal? Your awful quick to pass judgement here??? I would highly recommend doing a bit of research before you open your mouth as it makes you look like an idiot; quite frankly. There are many, many EMS/Firefighers under the age of 25 or 30.

I ask you this question...if I am having a heartattack or diabetic seizure or in a bad accident ...am I gonna check the state ID of my Paramedic??? You'd better if you are concerned. Let me tell you that I work with several medics under the age of 25 and every single one of them can and WILL save you life. They also drive firetrucks that are worth $500,000 to over a million dollars. Not to mention...anyone over the age of 21 can be a EMT/ Police officer/ Firefighter?? Again, maybe should do little research.

So next time your home is burning down, your getting assaulted, having a heart attack or bleeding all over yourself...make sure you check everyone's ID's and resumes. I also might suggest making a back up plan - as 3 out of times...you help may not fit your expectations.

People- accidents happen...sorry this one had to happen as well. Bottom line, not one was seriously hurt. Thank God...

EMS/ FIRE/ POLICE- Thank you for doing a "thank-less" job.

First off - distracted - is a relative word. How many distractions do you think someone in an amublance has to endure while transporting a seriously ill patient? Not cell phones or texting, but what about a radio call from the dispatcher, or communication from a partner in the back to advise that things are going south and there may be a need to stop and help or perhaps change the mode of transport from non-urgent to urgent. I assure you that most ambulance companies have policies in place to insure that texting is not allowed and cell phone use is minimized. Knowing this particular EMT - personally - this was not a case of phone use... I have ridden with this EMT in many emergent situations and would trust my life with her at the wheel or working on me. The 21 year-old comment is ludicrous - if you have something to say about the age of the folks taking care of you and think you can do it or do it better - then sign up and get the education to do it! I have been an EMT since age 16 and have had countless lives lost and saved within my grasp. How many lives have you saved this week or this year or this lifetime? While one crash does seem like a big deal - the bigger part of this is that the 21 year old driver also managed to avoid hitting the car's driver door and managed to maneuver the ambulance further away from him and into the engine block.

Unless you've been in the shoes of someone who is out there risking their life day in and day out for other people in need, you can't take a stand and criticize.

Oh, yes. Just for the record I am 34 years of age, female and work in the fire/ rescue service. Just for the record.

Here's an idea, let's wait to see if the lights and siren was on, then we all meet back here and pass appropriate judgments and comments about drivers!

I'd like to echo WALDOCOUNTYGUY'S words -- accidents are called 'accidents' for a reason, because they're just that.

Also, other readers commenting on this story (and other BDN stories) could really use a grammar lesson, perhaps even some anger management. There are some very heated comments being made. This story certainly doesn't warrant four letter words.

I agree with Maineiacmedic...we need all the help we can get!

Sign up people...get licensed, and hop on board.

Wow, you people are out of control. As a person with some vast experience, and knowing the stresses of the job, I have to tell you all to simply shut up. This is what I love, all of you, with few exceptions, have been assaulting this driver based on a number of issues, her age seems to be your biggest problem. Now let me ask you this...When was the last time you actually pulled over for an ambulance? A firetruck? Now the police, they get respect becuase if you don't do what your supposed to, you get a ticket! So, do the people who save your lives, and your homes deserve less respect? Does a person who attends 120 hours of school to become an EMT, or another who attends yet another 120+ hours to become a firefighter deserve less? NO! I drive an ambulance, and all I have to do is write down your registration plate number and BAM! You get a ticket for failing to yield to an emergency vehicle. WAKE UP MAINE! GET A GRIP!

This is a two way street, and the reason many of you have not gotten the ticket that I talk about. We have to drive with "DUE REGARD" for other drivers, in other words, you "civilians" do not need to uphold your end of the law, in fact, you can just sit there and flip up your rearview, turn up your stereos, and continue to drive while your seats are tipped back and YOU are yapping on your cell phones, applying makeup, or brushing your hair. That is right folks, go ahead, beacuse WE have to take your idiotic behavior into consideration when we are operating our apparatus, and wait for you to wake up. WE will take up the slack as we are trying to find that address for that young child choking, or the house filling with smoke. Feel free to take complete advantage of our restrictive right to have you pull over and stop...let me say that again PULL OVER, AND STOP!

Kelsi, sorry kid that your the brunt of it, don't sweat it. Thankfully the other people who work for the ambulance company are ok too, yeah, all of you knife throwing finger pointers, there were more in that ambulance. The patient to actually is ok. Thank you as well to the fast thinking fire chief in Hancock who ordered that power be turned off as soon as he did preventing further injury and allowing the other providers to take care of the sick and injured. I'm sorry for any of you who suffered without power for a while yesterday, if that had not been done as fast as it did, the chances of someone dying would have been much higher. Great job Chief and all the members of the HVFD!

I hope everyone takes a lesson from this incident, both EMS providers and civilians alike, be aware or your surroundings and act appropriately. Thank god that everyone is ok, and dont forget to pull over next time for the red lights

My social studies teacher in 8th grade told the class that the word assume means ass*u*me

Also wanted to add something for you all to chew on. Maine EMS has made it mandatory that ANYONE who drives an ambulance, MUST complete the Ambulance Vehicle Operator Course. This is a 16 hour program, that goes beyond the basic driving courses that you all took when you licensed yourselves.

I agree with nishgirl that 21 is a little young to have the responsibility of driving an ambulance. In The County I know EMTs that only make $10 an hour so it probably is a young persons job.

She was probably texting her BF or reaching for her cell ... !!!! EVEN IF SHE WAS DRIVING CODE 3 THEN SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DISTRACTED... NO EXCUSES whether she was or not. I hope she took the mandatory AVOC class. Once the investigation is complete we will know. As we say" you dont do anyone any good if you dont get there."

RGPEMT- I know him personally. He's a damned good paramedic and I have worked with him many times. I trust him with my life. He has a very good comment.

It's amazing the morons that publicly show themselves every day on this website. So what if a 21 year old was driving the ambulance? (Perhaps if you knew who the driver was you'd know what other types of training she's had) Do you think a 40 year old could have done better? For the record, I am 27 and started in EMS when I was 16. I was a sophomore in high school. I took and passed the EMT B class and then passed the state and national exams and earned my EMT license. (should young blood not be doing this?) Due to insurance reasons I couldn't drive until I was 18. Still, I took and passed the AVOC course that rgpemt mentioned. I've taken more than one. With all the hours I've logged behind the wheel of ambulances and fire trucks, I've never ONCE had a crash. Even in my own vehicle I've never once had a crash. I know, all those young people are so dangerous aren't we?

Years ago an older (read that as 40's) EMT colleague of mine was driving through Ellsworth. A vehicle pulled out directly in front of him, cutting him off and he slammed the brakes. While I'm tending to the patient I had in the back I went flying forward and slammed in to the front cabinets of the ambulance. I know, he's a hot dog ambulance driver too. A crash certainly would have been his fault. It couldn't be the person who pulled out in front of a vehicle with flashing lights and a siren.

I wonder if it's permitted to have dash cams in emergency vehicles. Then we could get video footage of the idiots that allowed to have drivers licenses. I am NOT indicating that the crash was Mr. Listman's fault nor am I indicating it was Kelsi's fault. Let's see what the investigation produces shall we?

$10 dollars an hours to be an EMT, where do I sign up?? Where I'm at we stand 12 hours shifts for FREE. When we get a run we get a small % of it. Making $30 to 40 dollars for a 12 hour shift is a lot of money don't you think? Roughy 3.00 dollars per hour! *IF* we get a run. We also lose work time from real jobs to take calls, attend training, spend our own money to drive to Bangor and back for training and in some cases, pay for additional training out of our own pockets.

You people sure are grateful to people who spend their own money, sacrifice their own time with their families, sacrifice time at a real job to serve you!

A short story- 2 summers ago, I had a call where a patient was crashing and burning. RGPEMT was a paramedic coming to help me because his license level is higher than mine. The patient's daughter rode in the front seat of the ambulance to the hospital, which is 30 miles from here. We met RGPEMT at about the 1/2 way point and he jumped on board. The patient's daughter was witnessing the lunacy that an ambulance driver goes through. She rolled down the passenger's window and was yelling at motorists "Can't you see this is a F'ing ambulance!!??" I told the driver to give her the PA microphone! So when a non medical person witnesses these types of things what does that tell you?

OMG Jolly Vollies, me me me me me.... I I I I...!!!

me me me me i i i i ! Seriously! Wow, now we are getting way off topic, but to defend EMTDUDE, that service he is duscussing is not strictly volunteer, it is pay per call. And for the record, I volunteer as well, so, be mindful what you say you are insulting the heritage of the fire service, let us not forget that Benjamin Franklin started the FIRST volunteer fire service in philidelphia way way way back. Add to that the fact that volunteers stand a better chance of running a call than a shift worker at a paid department and you may change your tune a little.

Getting back on track, lets remember what we have all be bantering about, an ambulance crashed, people got hurt, and in the end, everyone is ok. I do have to admit that it is interesting how people with little or no knowledge of the incident seem to have the most to say. So perhaps we need to give this one a rest, the people involved are already feeling pain, pain for the accident as a whole, pain for hurting thier coworkers and the civilivan that was involved. Pain for the patient who was hopelessly strapped in the back. Can we all not see the bigger picture here? The EMS providers, and firefighters, regarldless of their "paid" or "vollie" status are held to a higher standard every day. The stresses that were discussed for the driver alone could very well have many of you in tears. Keep it smooth while the person in the back is trying to start in IV line, watch it in the corners so I don't toss my partner around the back, slow down for those frost heaves to keep the patient as comfortable as possible.

In the back, it takes faith, faith in your driver/operator. It is thier sole responsibility to get you and your patient to the hospital in one piece. It takes time to develop that trust in someone who may be young, or old; paid or volunteer. There have been other comments along the lines of "take a day in my shoes", "see for yourself" and they are right. As I stated earlier in my first post, this is a two sided problem and requires further investigation. DUE REGARD on the part of the EMS Crew, and possible failure to yield on the part of ALL the other motorists.

Repeat the lesson: PULL TO THE RIGHT AND STOP, it does not matter which way you are driving, PULL TO THE RIGHT AND STOP. Do that, and help us do our jobs by getting to the scene of the call prepared to work and do our part to save lives like we do every day.

Personally I think this young lady has shown a level of maturity that most posters here should envy. For someone that young to dedicate themselves to public service should not be denigrated by comments like I have seen here. I am sure if she wanted to have fun by driving recklessly she wouldn't need to get an EMT job to do it. She could be out with her friends whooping it up and doing what other young people do instead of dedicating her time and effort to helping others. Way to go Kelsi... keep up the good work.

I feel, and you should too, the insurance industry discriminates against young people for the ‘premium’ reward. In other words, young people who never had any driving experience are required to pay more for their insurance than older people who have been involved or even the cause of an accident/s. I say, until they have proven differently, young people should pay at a rate that reflects their capability, not their risk assessment.

As for Police, Fire and Rescue people, no one can say enough praise for what they do.

The ambulance driver, Kelsi Bean, 21, of Bangor was distracted as the ambulance approached the other slowed vehicles, he said. Bean steered the ambulance into the oncoming lane of traffic to avoid the other vehicles, but Listman turned left into its path as the ambulance tried to pass. Police were still trying to determine if the ambulance's siren and flashing lights were being used at the time of the accident READ THIS WHY THE AMBULANCE TRY 2 PASS ????????????????????????????? SHE SHOULDENT HAVE HAD 2 PASS IF SHE HAD LIGHTS RUNNING THEY STILL HAVENT SAID IF THEY WERE ON AND WHY IN THE HELL DIDDENT THE YELLOW CAR GO TOO RIGHT?????

Accidents are not always just that, an "accident" like someone had previously mentioned. One of many definitions of an accident - "An unexpected usually sudden event that occurs without intent or volition although sometimes through carelessness, unawareness, ignorance, or a combination of causes and that produces an unfortunate result (as an injury) for which the affected party may be entitled to relief under the law or to compensation under an insurance policy."

There really isn't enough info here. Did Bean pull around the cars as a normal part of an ambulance passing stopped vehicles, or to avoid crashing into them? Did Listman have time to ascertain the approaching ambulance and fail to do so? Or did he start the turn before the ambulance came into view behind him? On a high speed road, it's always prudent to check your mirrors before turning to make sure you're not being passed. From the limited info provided it sounds like an unfortunate accident.

They were transporting an elderly woman who had fallen, she was not suffering for life threatening injuries..... These drives will go all lights and sirens down High Street in Ellsworth at 3 am when there is NO traffic and have a minor call. The drivers of the ambulances need to be held accountable for these types of accidents they are not only putting themselves and their patients in danger but others on the road. It was a stroke of luck that noone was seriously injured in this accident. I wonder how many homes froze up due to no power yesterday, this accident caused a lot of damage and who pays for it? I see plenty of posts when a cop has a high speed chase, but god forbid an ambulance obey the traffic laws when they have a non life threatening transport. The people who drive these ambulances are mostly n it fo r the "hardon" they get for driving like it is a race and the rush of being "god" and saving a life. Why not do this job for the RIGHT reasons.

another BDN report screwed up ThE WOMANS NAME IS DORIS PARR NOT TARR! IDIOTS

Wow! This page seems to be full of people, who in their ignorance are ready to pass judgement. Ingorant because, first of all, they were not there (and for the record, I was, in response to the accident). Secondly, since we can pass judgement, your poor spelling and grammar leads me to believe that most of you could not even pass the required reading test required to become an EMT. So pass your judgement. and when you're done eating your potato chips and checking your email on the couch, and you feel that heart attack coming...call us. We'll still come save your sorry butt.

As others have said here, if you can do it better, sign up for a class. Just don't forget to get in some remedial english classes in order to pass your reading test. Most likely, you are not smarter than a 5th grader.

And Kelsi, remember that your brothers and sisters at County, and in the Fire/EMS community, are behind you 100%. Ignore the idiots. They need you...you don't need them!

And to "Tikitorch," make sure that when your dumb a*s causes an accident, and you will...let us know who you are, so that when you're bleeding to death on the side of the road...we can keep our "Hard ons" in check and be sure to respond nice and slow. Idiot.

Tikitorch, not sure where you are getting your information, but I can assure you that based on the crew that was in the back of that ambulance, and knowing full well the capabilities of that EMS Crew, if that ambulance was in fact transporting a patient to the hospital with the lights and sirens going, there was a reason. Add to that my first hand knowledge of the providers VERY early radio report to the ER stating that the patient was in fact NOT stable are indicators to me, as an EMS professional, that this patient needed rapid transport to the ER. As far as your statement about ambulances going down high street at 3 am, check your facts. How do you know the nature of the calls that these ambulances are responding to? Rare is the instance that patient info is broadcast over the airwaves to all of you in scanner land to decifer. There are MANY occasions that an ambulance will in fact NOT use its lights and sirens for in town calls. The ambulances that you possibly see rolling "Code 3" to the hospital, are most likely those from out of town. On that note who are we do judge the nature of thier calls? How do we know based on our minimal knowledge from a brief radio report? Every service has its own policies in place for the use of lights and sirens, when to as well as when not to. That switch on the dash comes with a lot of responsibility, and is not treated lightly. I remind you of an earlier post that states all persons operating an ambulance must have completed the AVOC program, and most services mandate a probation period with strict mentoring on the drivers behavior and capabilities. So much for your "hardon" theory.

As far as your comment about EMS providers being "god", you are not even close. If in fact we were god like, we would never fail at saving a life, never have to watch aimlessly as a patient suffers not being able to breathe. Never have to turn to a family member and appologize for the loss of thier loved one. We would never have to suffer oursleves with the constant internal emotions that WE see every day. If we were god, that would never happen. I would ask you what you feel the right reasons are for being in EMS? Can you enlighen us? Please?

I would venture to say that knowing 90% of the EMS providers in Hancock County, all of them are in it for what I feel are the right reasons. They are in it to serve the community, make someone feel better, prolong thier lives for a few minutes so they can say goodbye to thier families. To have a small moment in time that may change the outcome of a deadly illness, or severe injury. We certainly do not do it for the money!

I can hardly wait to hear your thoughts and opinions on this matter that has spun from the basic question here, What happened? Why are we seeking to blame someone? Are we simply blood hungry? Do we need to see that person swinging from a rope in the town square? Be honest with each other here, it was an accident, perhaps avoidable, but an accident none the less.

MaineEMT...Well versed my friend, well versed!

I am glad as a read down the comments in here that people actually are commenting on the realities of what we actually do out here on the Ambulance. I am 24 years old, I have been a Licensed EMT for 5 years and been driving a rig for 7 years. For the one who said there should be no distractions while driving an ambulance obviously has no clue about what goes on. When driving these are just a few of the distractions that are around, watching to make sure your partner is ok in the back, where the other cars going in front of you, radio reports, road conditions, make sure you miss the bumps so your patient as a smooth ride, those are just a few off the top of my head. These are just in a normal non-emergent transport to the hospital, add the additional distractions of lights sirens, the stress of knowing your partner is working on a patient that has the potential of dying on the way to the hospital. It is very distracting.

As for those who think being 21 a young person to be driving the Ambulance, you need to brace yourself for a huge reality check, EMS is a profession that is getting younger... A Paramedic Program at EMCC is a 2 year Associates Program...so that can make some 20 and driving and saving your butt. I really don't think age has anything to do with it... I have have been driving an Ambulance since I was 18. I have also been driven by people who are 18 and people who are 50+. Both I have had bad and good drivers of any age. I also agree with the comment that was made about it is up to the other drivers to do their part and pull to the RIGHT and STOP...many people for get the STOP part. I have been in the same spot as Kelsi was trying to pass a line of cars and have a car try to turn left right in front of me it is not a good feeling and then (to add a war story) to have that driver flip me off as if it was my fault really makes you think your chosen profession.

I really think before anybody else thinks about writing a negative comment on here about my friends, you should come and see what EMTs do, find out how much they get paid to come out in any weather/road conditions, to help people they never met, and get talked down to by people who have no clue what this job entails or the sacrifices we make for the citizens of our communities.

I am very glad Tessa, Kelsi, and Jenna are doing ok.

PS.... I will be very glad to have Kelsi back at work and as my partner!!!!

You are so right Tikitorch...

Regarding others comments, She was probably driving too fast to begin with and couldnt stop or slow down because she was "distracted !" She was working as a paid professional not a volunteer working "out of the goodness of her heart". Therefore as a paid professional she should be expected to have more than the minimum amount of AVOC training and be aware of potential changing traffic conditions. (slow down going over a hill) THIS DID NOT HAVE TO HAPPEN !!! Accidents can be prevented, the turning cars probably were within their legal right and doing nothing wrong. They were in control of their vehicles. Im sure you EMT's - Paragods, all have heard in training that by using lights and siren you are "requesting the right of way not mandating it." You still have to drive with due regard for the safety of others and drive to avoid and prevent causing accidents.

Check out Title 29 SS 2054 if you dont believe me here is the paragraph7. "Duty to drive with due regard for safety. Subsections 4, 5 and 6 do not relieve the operator of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons, nor do those subsections protect the operator from the consequences of the operator's reckless disregard for the safety of others.

RGPEMT you are not a law enforcement officer so you might want to read the Title 29 SS2054 law again about operating emergency vehicles B. The investigating officer may cause the registered owner of the vehicle to be served with a summons for a violation of this subsection. [1997, c. 162, §2 (NEW).] NOT YOU!!

I hope you know your lifesaving skills better than you know the laws or how to drive emergency vehicles.

I get a kick out of that. I'm 22 and I text almost at least once when I drive to or from work or when I am driving you know? But I know when to do it, and usually when its snowing like that out there I don't, or if theres a lot of awkward traffic I don't either. That's because I know how to be safe.

BTW I'm her boyfriend, back up.

lemonparty.org

Tikitorch... where is your medical training.... The number of hours of training that the providers in the back of the ambulance that decided a need for Lights and Sirens transport was over 572 hours of pre-hospital training as a baseline not including continuing education and others. If you included all EMS personnel onboard you would get over 1270 hours just a a base line training not including as stated above... i would trust their decisions anytime.

Donald,

We know that as EMS personnel we do on summons people yes...but our colleagues in the Law Enforcement business can and they take it very seriously when we call in with a motor vehicle complaint because they know what it is like on the street. And we do drive with due regard, but like i said in my first post before you criticize come and see the emotional ups and downs here and try to keep your adrenaline down when you get that call for a choking 2 year old or look into the eyes of a wife of 50 years when she tells you please get him to the hospital as quick as you can so he doesn't die.... Live it before you criticize it.

I so enjoy how all of you are playing this up. I mentioned with specifics that fact of driving with DUE REGARD. I am quite familiar with Title 29A as are many of my coworkers. Never did I say that I was going to issue you a citation, I said that I could write down your plate number. Read that as I could make a complaint, let the boys in blue take it from there. My focus is providing emergecy medical care, not as a law enforcement official. As far as my lifesaving skills, yeah, I am all set with those, in fact I teach them to others on a regular basis.

Another fact is this, the accident did not take place at the crest of the hill, in fact it was more than halfway down the opposite side. We can banter all we want in regards to who was at fault here, it has been stated over and over again. Go ahead and point fingers and make your assumptions. Without having the first hand facts, as many of those who have replied do, you have no grounds to make a determination.

And thanks for strengthening the facts about title 29! As well as making me further explain myself.

Dear Tikitorch,

If you yourself weren't so "Distracted," you would have kept reading Title 29A, SS 2054, para. 4, which reads:

4. Right-of-way. An authorized emergency vehicle operated in response to, but not returning from, a call or fire alarm or operated in pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law has the right-of-way when emitting a visual signal using an emergency light and an audible signal using a bell or siren. On the approach of any such vehicle, the operator of every other vehicle shall immediately draw that vehicle as near as practicable to the right-hand curb, parallel to the curb and clear of any intersection and bring it to a standstill until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed. A violation of this subsection is a Class E crime that, notwithstanding Title 17-A, section 1301, is punishable by a minimum fine of $250 for the first offense and for a 2nd offense occurring within 3 years of the first offense a mandatory 30-day suspension of a driver's license.

Also keep in mind that, even though they were returning from the scene, the patient was unstable, and therefore the emergency was still in effect. Give me your mailing address and I'll send you a complimentary copy of "Hooked on Phonics." Again, you are an idiot.

wait a minute, if their lights or sirens aren't on they aren't in an emergency. i live in and around dover-foxcroft and I see C.A. Dean, Mayo and Capital as well as the Monson Ambulance driving around quite sporadically due to the age of people here. When I see an ambulance with their lights on/siren, I pull over to the side of the road. When they're behind me and nothing is going on i don't have to move.

One time in Bangor not too long ago I was coming off on Hogan Road on the interstate and out of nowhere this ambulance started blaring his horn like it's my fault to get in the way. He didn't have his lights/siren on right until he got behind me. WTF kind a sh1t is that?

And to Donald...when your shift at Burger King is up, stop by County Ambulance. I'm sure you have plenty you can teach us.

Just to add this last piece...This is my favorite description of what we do out Here in the world of EMS:

(Author Unknown)

I delivered a baby on the ambulance gurney;

I baptized a newborn whose life ended before it began.

I hugged a frightened child;

I was kissed by an intoxicated old lady.

I held the hand of a teenage girl as she delivered a 3-pound baby;

I listened to the mournful squeak of a stretcher being wheeled to the morgue.

I gently stroked the fragile hand of a 102 year old woman;

I hesitated at the outreached hand of a 300 pound prisoner in handcuffs.

I trudged for 24 hours in my boots;

I had a teenager vomit on those same boots.

I rubbed the feverish body of a 14 year old cancer patient;

I cradled the ice-cold hand of a child hit by a car.

I was referred to as "an angel of mercy;"

I was called every four-letter word in the book.

I always see fear in people's eyes;

I never see joy or relief.

I listened to a tormented voice pleading for the preservation of life;

I heard the threatening words of one bent on self-destruction.

I spoke with the girl who was hoping she had the flu, not a pregnancy;

I see innocent people hurt or killed by a drunk driver, and the drunk driver is never hurt.

I marveled at the genius of a cardiologist;

I saw a 15 year old boy who shot himself in the head, and the gun was still loaded at his feet.

I talked in circles with a schizophrenic person;

I was horrified at the battered body of a child whose parents were incapable of love.

I gazed at a horribly burned body;

I shuddered at a cold water drowning.

I see women beaten up by their spouses, but they never press charges;

I walk into houses and do CPR with family watching over my shoulder in tears.

I arrive at serious auto accidents, and the first words I hear are, "Am I going to die?;"

I find out hours later they did die.

I listen to the repeated question, "Why?" from a family devastated by death;

I search my soul for the answers to their question.

This is just another day in EMS.

And to "The King," quit seeing things and start "DOING" things. That ambulance probably did have its lights and sirens on. You were just too busy applying your makeup.

I think ambulance drivers/firetruck/police officers believe they have the right to the road - they do - but when they're a danger to society such as this incident then who's to blame? I'm sure someone somewhere will blame the driver of the car, but she was legitimately making a turn, and the ambulance probably couldn't see around the car behind her.

Also I think 21 is kind of young to be driving that. Yeah she could've passed a test but damn! Is that a s-load to drive. Young minds like hers, and just by reasoning we can vision KELSI as a sorority-like girl who gets drunk on the weekends...yeah

Alrite, first of all everyone needs to stop making their own accusations without knowing any hard facts. You all sound like a bunch of little kids arguing in the lunch line over whose getting what. Second of all for all of you who have never been and EMT, Operated an ambulance or worked around emergency vehicles in general need to hold off on downing those of us who do. In my opinion age really plays no factor here as i worked for County Ambulance at the age of 19 prior to becoming a Navy Corpsman. I am 22 now and just completed my sixth year in the emergency services. Lets think about this for a minute....where are most 21 year old people these days on any given day? Probably still passed out from the night before or skipping class that their parents are paying for because they have no job right? All while Kelsi and many others our age gets up at the crack of dawn to go put in many hours a week to render people in need, Getting paid practiculy nothing. I remind you she is 21 years old. HMMMMM which would you prefer your child to be doing. Kelsi do not listen to what the un educated people say......Kudos to you for doing the job that so many fear!! Nishgirl....few pieces of advice, work on your grammar as you do a great job of humilitaing yourself, and educate yourself before putting people down about there job in which you have no experiance in. And Donald your a moron for assuming she was texting someone while driving the ambulance, as if we really have time to text people while driving paying attention to everything that has already been mention above. Now let me ask you all this......you have a problem with the average age of medical providers in the military being 17-21 years old working on the battle field saving lives? I did my first deployment to Iraq at 20 years old and i did exactly what Lifeflight of Maine does....I saved many lives and had some that werent as lucky. What do you have to say about that? 20 years old, you dont think we can handle the stresses? Let me tell you some of the youngest people in this field are the best! So anyone who thinks us young people dont deserve to have the responsibilty that we get when working this field....come spend a day with one of us and watch what we do just like the seasoned people, i assure you that you will have different feelings People, you need to stop assuming that the patient was fine when in fact you were not in the back of the ambulance and have no idea what was going on, the Medical Personnel who work on any ambulance do there job to help individuals in need at anytime and any place. Maybe this post will sink in to you idiots, so you will stop embarrassing yourselves...IE: Nishgirl, momto3,Donald,Tikitorch

lol I don't wear makeup MaineEMT, you silly goose.

Not to mention when my friend called the Bangor Fire Department Ambulance on me because I was passed out from Food Poisoning from the Husson University Dickerman center that I have to foot a $412 bill... $395 of that is the base pay.

So don't talk to me about why my life sucks.

LOL "King," you just smudged your lipstick. When those lights are on, you're damned right we own the road...that may be your mom, dad, sister, dying. So quit F'ing off while driving and move your sorry a*s when we're behind you with lights and sirens.

Obviously, you were the college flunkie that coudn't get a date with the hot "sorority" chick, even when she was drunk. But being a nerd doesn't make you smart, dumba*s.

And lastly, the other driver was a he, not a she. Back to school for you retard.

Nice one King what is that a County training session??

Wow, this is getting entertaining. The only reason I mentioned 'me and I' is because of my 1st hand field experiences to help illustrate what it's like to drive an ambulance. It was also to show that young blood in EMS doesn't mean that we cause wrecks.

News reporters don't always get the story right. As was pointed out above, the patient's last name was published wrong. FACT: In 1995 this very newspaper interviewed me and published an article about an incident that I was involved with. When I read the newspaper story, what I had told the reporter had been worded differently. In fact, things had been added to the story. (it makes things sound more dramatic you know...) It pissed me off and I wrote that reporter a letter and mailed it to her, but never heard back.

Is it possible that what's written in the news article isn't actually what happened?

There are people in this world who thrive on attention. Negative attention is just as good as positive attention. That's been very well demonstrated once again by comments here. It doesn't matter what the facts are, they don't care what they say. As long as everybody is focused on them they are happy.

i can tell you that much thought the next time I ever need to go to an emergency room I'm driving myself there... $400 for a 2 mile ride in an ambulance that wasn't even EMMC's

seriously, in this troubled time why do we have to pay an azzload for a bus to come get us

LOL EMTdude, did the article put in "alcohol/drugs may have been involved"?

That a typical BDN story, surprised it didn't show up

As an Emergency Department RN, thanks to all the EMS providers, ages 16-70. I appreciate all that you do. Many people would not be here today if it was not for you, your quick thinking and your vast knowledge. One of the most valuable lessons I learned in Nursing school is "You cannot cure stupid." (This pertains to the people bashing the very EMS providers that my save your life tomorrow.)

I would like to echo EMTdude's words on the legitimacy of the article having all factual information printed. Bill Trotter once wrote a story about me and I was never interviewed, nor was any attempt made to interview me. I was shocked when I read it, especially since I am the only person in the phone book with my name. I too wrote a letter to the editor to point out these facts and supply correct information, but it was never printed, nor did the BDN even acknowledge the incident.

It may be a snowy day, but people (including myself) need to find something better to do than continue posting comments to this story.

KoreyDanico: look in the mirror before you go calling anyone an idiot.

PS - I just want to thank all rescue personnel reading and/or commenting on this story.

i'm gonna be outside shoveling in about 30 minutes, anybody want to join?

King - you got beer?

Lets just hope while you are shoveling, you do not develop chest pain or an icicle does not impale you.... We wouldnt want those emergency vehicles getting the right of way, now would we?

Momto3 mind telling me what makes me an idiot, is it the fact that you just cant admit that you have no idea what your talking about when it comes to stresses of this field? Ever had anyone die in your arms after taking their last breath? Ever had anyone trust in you enough to put there life in your hands? Doesnt sound like it.... How would you know if she cant handle the stresses? She obviously can, she shows back up to work each shift no matter how tragic the last shift may have been!!

It just behooves me, that anyone is STUPID enough NOT to pull over when any emergency vehicle is approaching from any direction. Where do they get off being so ignorant to think they don't need to. I think maybe loss of ones licence for a couple months might make them think. This is not an option dumbarses..sighsssssssss

Danico, well said. These people (I use that term loosely) who don't have what it takes to save a life on an EMS service most certainly do not possess the intestinal fortitude and personal sacrifice it takes to go anywhere near a battlefield. Most emergency service providers today are either current or prior military. We are all brothers and sisters, and can you imagine, just for one moment, the frustration and fear that I personally, as well as others on scene that day, felt when we could not get near the ambulance because of downed "live" power lines? Not knowing whether the patient, as well as our EMS sisters, were even alive? And when the power was finally shut down, and we opened the back of that ambulance, we found 3 hurt professionals ignoring their own injuries, which were a little more severe than reported, in order to stabilize their patient. Keeping in mind that besides the patient being transported and the driver of the car, one of those young professionals also left the scene in tears with a collar on her neck and strapped to a spine board. It was her second day on the job, and one of her first calls. All three of those professionals were ready and willing to come back to work at that moment. We almost had to pull them away from their patient. That's dedication.

Aside from all the idiotic banter that Donald, "The King," and Tikitorch spew, remember this: every life is worth saving, unfortunately, even theirs. I encourage you (sincerely) to stop by your local EMS service and see what it's all about. Just sit back and watch what we do. Listen to our many stories. Maybe then you will see what we sacrifice every day for those that do (and do not) appreciate it.

Kelsi Tessa...I respected the hell out of both of you before the accident. Seeing what I saw that day, my respect for you increased ten fold. And Jenna, no doubt you've got what it takes as well. Tons of respect for you as well. Welcome to County.

KoreyDanico: I made that post when someone said on here "you don't know what the stress is like" I made my post AFTER that was posted. I was not looking for a fight. I greatly appreciate what all emts do. No doubt It is a tough job. I am just saying that maybe she is not ready for this right now. This could have gone down much worse than it did. I was in that same stretch of road yesterday and it was way too icy. Everyone needs to calm down here and be GREATFUL everything turned out the way it did.

Momto3...she is ready. She has always been ready. She has seen more than most people three times her age. Stop by sometime and introduce yourself to her. Get to know her. See for yourself. You'll be "GRATEFUL" that you did.

MaineEMT: thanks for spell checking for me!! Thanks for the invite, you do sound like a good group...thanks for all you do.

You're welcome. Now go out and hug an EMT.

Will do!

no, i gotta work tonight, i have one beer, but i ain't drinkin' it

EmergencyRmRn

LOL emergency vehicles in Monson... let's see, the last big storm we had the entrance to the senior citizen home was plowed in and the town ambulance couldn't get into the parking lot...

Thats monson ;)

I am shocked by some the comments posted on here. I understand that everyone has an opinion, but based on what the article is about, some of these comments go far, far beyond what the topic is. What began as reporting on an accident (in which everyone was FINE), has turned into an attack on the driver of the ambulance. Her age should not have a bearing, I work closely with many EMT's (both paid and volunteer). Age does not have anything to do with their ability to do the job. Why is the age of the 36 y/o woman who turned in front of the ambulance not being discussed? If the ages of the drivers had been reversed, would the 21 y/o still be blamed??

I am proud of these woman, the stress of this job is off the charts. They obviously have what it takes. So why not thank them, rather than criticize them? When you need help in an emergency situation, as mentioned before, you don't check ages. You are grateful!

So Kelsie, Jenna and Tessa thank you! Keep up the good work :)

Nobody cares Queen. Go Myocardially Infarc yourself.

This is turning into an absolute circus...and I am still trying to figure out who the damn ring leader is between Tiki and Nish and all the other people who don't know anything in here. You all think you know so much about EMS. You badger and complain about people being young and working on an ambulance. I hate to break it to you but most of our population is heading into senior citizenship which means a lot of professions are getting younger and younger. I went to basic EMT class with Kelsi and Intermediate class with her not to mention the above talked about AVOC class. We all have to have it. You all also talk about why didn't she stop...hmmm. Let's analyze this for a minute. You @holes all realize that we have a lot of weight moving behind us. It is like a fire truck full of water. Not to mention she was on a hill. Had she tried to stop, she would've sent the patient or the emt's in the back to possible death because there is nothing holding them back. To provide adequate care, I can't be sitting back in a bench seat doing nothing. If I had some of you people in the back of my truck I would definetly sit back and say have at it. I mean you are so much smarter than me...Honestly people. STUPID isn't in my protocol book, so I hate to break it to you but I can't treat stupid! RGPemt, mblock, emergencyRN, emtdude...I know all of them, work with them and respect them all. I would entrust my life in Kelsi's hands without a question.

Back on the age thing for a moment. Let's have a gander about this one too shall we? Nish mentioned earlier that they didn't want their mother or grandmother going with someone who is that young of a driver. I will remember that when I show up at your door for a heart attack that your mother is having and say oh damn...I am too young and a hot dog driver. I guess I will let you handle this one on your own today. Please tell me how to do my job. You seem to know what I am supposed to be doing but you don't have the gall to get up and do it yourself. BECAUSE YOU DON"T KNOW HOW. You guys are ungrateful sorry sons a b's. Momto3, let me tell you something about stress. I don't give a rip how many kids you are a mom to. you don't know stress until you have the life of someone else's child in your hands and your partners hands, you need to drive on crappy Maine roads, and you need to maintain the safety of your crew. THIS IS NOT MY EMERGENCY BUT YOURS. you all get lights and sirens as a damn courtesy the way I see it. My crew is a lot more important than you.

Regardless of how you all feel about us being paid employees so we are just doing a job. I live in an area where we get paid only on a call. I do it because i love to try to help people in their time of need. It's how an EMT operates. If I were in it for a hard on I would be at the ER all the time because it would be lasting more than 4 hours...I don't care what you think. We don't get paid enough to deal with your BS but we do it anyway because we want to try to make a difference. I would love to see some of you people react to a bowel evisceration since you know it all.

Back to the original topic though...I hate judgemental people. So anyone I have called an idiot, I don't care if I offend you. But we do not know the facts right now, we don't know what was happening in the back, or in the car ahead even. That's for the police to sort out. Who knows whose fault it is. I have my complete support behind Kelsi and EVERY SINGLE OTHER FIREFIGHTER/EMT/NURSE/POLICE OFFICER who risk life and limb every day to protect and help all your sorry @$$es. I love being an EMT way to much to let your chronic, incurable disease of stupid hold me back. Kelsi keep your chin up. We all got your back!

Katfromaway: very well said!!

I'm glad to hear that everyone made it home safe! Its hard enough doing the job that we do, without the hassle. Kelsi hang tough!

FYI- The crew of County 23 are doing well. Thank You to all the supporters! To those who are passing judgement for something to do on a snowy Sunday- please go shovel your means of egress- just don't slip because I'm back to work and you wouldn't want me to come take care of you! Please understand that we do what we do for the good of the persons who live and travel through our 16 towns that we cover. I trust Kelsi with my life and am so unbelievably proud of her and of Jenna as well. These ladies oozed professionalism in a time of crisis- that's what we do! Again- thanks for the support and to the Crews of HVFD and Bangor Hydro who ensured our safety. Please understand that allthough our physical pains are minimal the psychological stress of all members involved cannot be described. I expect to see Kudos from here on out for my partner and for all those that do this job- not for the great pay, but for rewards that outsiders cannot comprehend. Thanks to County, HVFD, Hydo, MCMH ER and to our families that we are so glad we got to go home to last night!

Seldom has there been such a controversial subject, with so many comments within a 24 hour span. This story has not even been published in the paper yet. Wow! 78 comments..Larry T. Doughty, South Brewer. larrytdoughty@yahoo.com.www.ourstory.com/larrytdoughty/

TMHastings:

Thank you for the update :) I am glad that everyone is recovering well!

Well said Tessa! Thanks to all of those involved. I'm glad that everyone made it home from their shift. Those of you that are not involved with public safety just don't understand the risks we face everyday. In EMS we have to deal with violent patients, bloodborne pathogens, high stress, long hours, poor pay, and an uninformed public. Oh, and the occasional life-or-death situation that most people will never encounter in their lifetime. Some of you may wonder why so many of us are "circling the wagons" for our colleagues, but the sad fact is that we have to watch out for each other because no one else will.

I am so glad to see some voices from the past on here! Dave_D, always a pleasure sir! Something that has just struck me as I ponder all the crud that is being thrown back and forth is this. How often do you all hear about an ambulance crew that brought someone back from the dead? Saved someone by openning thier airway, giving them lifesaving medicine? NEVER! All you see and hear is what you want to see and hear.

Like those who watch NASCAR for the crashes, you are all blood hungry and wanting to see the "dirty laundry" that the world has to offer.

At the same time it is shameful almost to think that it takes an episode such as this to make the community aware of us, those people in the back of those ambulances, who on a regular basis sacrifice ourselves for the betterment of someone else. This entire comment section has revealed so much about so many people, your lack of knowledge and concern for the EMS profession is why we are not respected by anyone outside of our own walls. As Dave_D has stated, we will circle the wagons in support of our own, much like a mother protecting her young. We only have each other to rely on, and if we ourselves are lucky, we have significant others in our lives who not only understand this job, but appreciate what we do, and share the concern of our extended family when we are in trouble.

Thanks to all who support the ladies involved! I am glad that all the patients are home and ok after thier frightening incident, and I hope as I stated earlier that we all take a lesson from this!

1st: appreciate the ambulance service, and all other emergency services. Most of you are true every day heroes.

However, a previous post says that when the sirens and lights are on "you own thr road". That is almost true. You have right of way, but you must be vigilant and aware. Also, how many MPH above the speed limit are you legally allowed to travel? You do have right away, but plowing people off of the road doesn't help. FOR EXAMPLE: IF THIS AMBULANCE DRIVER HAD YIELDED, THE CRASH COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED. Don't ya think.

As the Fire Chief for Hancock VFD, I'm glad all are doing well! It was very tough as one of the first Emergency personal there, ( a Sullivan VFD member was there first and called it in, THANKS! ) downed power lines, two wrecked cars, EMT's motioning for help on the oppisite side of the downed lines, it was a pretty helpless feeling to stand there and not help. We had to make sure the power was off. Also thanks to the dispatchers for doing a great job. I'm really glad the Ambulance Crew is ok, as the patient and other driver to.. It was a pretty tense scene in the beginning. Good job to all the crews involved.

To those that sit and second guess, or think they know what happened to cause it.. keep your comments to yourself.. you help no one..

Being in the fire sevice for 16 years, and EMS for 4 now, I've seen things I wished I hadn't..told my son something no father should have to tell his son. But we work through them with the help of friends and family.. We volunteer our time to help YOU,, when you need it..

I did have a whole other response to some of the negative comments, but I will keep them to myself,, ...

Remember, it was an accident... they happen from time to time.. 21 is not to young to be driving.. as a personal friend of Mr Danico, he was younger than that when he was sent to Iraq... he is there ,, defending us.. saving lives.. No one knows, what is to young .. or to old..

Great job to all that assisted at the scene.. !

Thank you Dave_D for posting that, you show true profesionalism. Glad everyone is ok.

Coming from an old timer that has seen this before.....lots said here today. Bottom line, thank goodness all are doing okay. Don't try and walk in those EMS shoes if you have no idea what you are talking about. Best wishes for a peaceful return to duty. Take care EMS Crew....

I would just like to let all of you know, i drive one of these trucks everyday. And i can tell you that nothing makes your pucker factor higher then when you crest a hill and find a stopped vehicle. I can also tell you that, that ambulance that was involved weighed about 6-8 tons. As you can guess, they dont stop on a dime. Some times evasive driving is involved. They may or may not have been going lights and sirens, regaurdless most people are so ignorant that they dont pay attention anyway. Im sure this was a routine transfer to EMMC and they were not. Unfortunatly this happend, but thankgod no one was seriously hurt.

I would like to comment on Nichgirls post about 21 year olds. I am 21 and have been and EMT for 5 years and have been driving ambulances for 3 years. I am a member of the busiest voluenteer service in Vermont, and one of the most respected. Guess what, we are all college students and are all 21 or younger. In the 4 years I have been here there have been many ambulance crashes around me, many from proffesional full time companies. My service has not crashed a truck since I have been on it and many many years prior. I wish you would rethink your comments.

im so glad 2 here that all are doing well.i also would like 2 say that emts are under payed for what they do 8 maybe 9 a hour wow ,i know its hard for them and no im not a EMT but lived with one .im i firefighter and seen lotes of sh_te' also glad it diddent roll over could have ben bad

I would like to say THANK YOU to all the Emergancy personal that help us. People are always so quick to judge them, when they are truely heros. They devote their time to save us when we need them. I am glad that everyone involved is alright. As for the driver of the ambulance I hope that she does not read these negitve comments and gets discouraged about driving for County Ambulance. Keep your head held high and keep in mind how many peoples lives you save....keep up the good work!

First of all, Tess...so good to see you back to work. We are all looking forward to seeing the others in uniform again very soon! And to "UcantFIXstupid," allow me to elaborate so that my comment regarding "Owning the road" is not taken out of context. When running "Code 3," we are exempt from many traffic laws. We in EMS take this responsibility hesitantly and seriously. Unfortunately, the vast majority of the motoring public do not yield the right of way to ambulances, either because of ignorance, or because they just don't see us. Really? How does an 8 ton box with ultra bright strobe lights and ear splitting sirens sneak up on someone? The fact is, most people on the road just don't pay attention. They are on their cell phone, have the stereo cranked, or are doing anthing but paying attention to their surroundings.

So yes, in emergencies we do "Own the road," and every one of us understands that great responsibility comes with that kind of ownership. After hearing the incredible amount of ignorance on this post, I will be sure to go out of my way to call in the plate numbers of all those that don't yield the right of way that we legally have in an emergency. Maybe when those of you that are ignorant are inconvenienced with that financial burden, you'll be more apt to pull to the right when an emergency vehicle is on their way to save a life.

To all those EMS/Fire personnel and supporters that wrote in...thanks so much. Support of friends, family, and colleagues is sometimes all we have in this stressful profession.

It's nice to see people calming down a bit in here. Obviously people are going to have their own opinions about things but it's best to at least act like adults like we are showing we are doing. Time will tell what will happen, but until then everyone involved keep your head up.

From RGPEMT:

Yes it is good to see old 107 back on the truck. It is a tribute to her dedication. EMT Dude...you are right, the undeducated perhpaps got educated today and the providers involved felt the undying support from thier brothers and sisters. Keeping it simple, be aware of your surroundings, check your mirrors, and when you see us, at least slow down a bit...we are not always in a hurry, but you never know who is in the back of that ambulance!

Be considerate and you will get it in return, it may be a quiet wave from us, but we are thankful to those of you who obey the law and respect our jobs!

Thanks to all of you!

i will not assume anything as that has a tendency to make an ass-(out of)-u (n)-me. i will need a lot more information before i start assigning blame. so be safe today the snow is still falling.

How sad this story is, and I hope all involved are ok, when the ambulance passed my daughter and I on route 1 near White Birches Motel, NO SIREN WAS ON, JUST LIGHTS FLASHING. the road was slick and snow covered, and the ambulance driver was not speeding at all...even doing under the speed limit even at that time there was no one on the roads, even in front of him or behind him.....

That is an example of code 2 for us. Depending on what is going on in the back of the ambulance, we can't run the sirens continuously...it is a risk to the patient. We use them when necessary to get around traffic when it's congested. I am not saying that they were used or weren't used when the accident happened, I wasn't there.

Oh my my my my my..... Where do I begin? Looking back on these posts, I have to laugh and laugh hard. Let me start by saying I am glad that all parties involved are okay. Things could have been far worse. I work for County as well as the Hancock Fire Department. When working at County it is typically Tessa or Kelsi that are my partners. I Trust both of them with my life and have a great deal of respect for them both. Jenna, as the article stated, has just started working. I have not had the oppurtunity to work with her yet but speaking with her I feel that she will be an outstanding EMT. So please, can we stop with the half-cocked, un-educated, ridiculous comment's that I have been reading! It's a hair-raising feeling when the alarm goes out to respond for one of your own. For all of the Non-EMS/FIRE/LAW ENFORCEMENT personnel, try to relate this to getting a call that your Mother/Father/Son/Daughter/Brother/Sister etc. has been in a bad traffic accident.

Enough of that now, let's get a little more personal. Perhaps all of your views about this topic would not be so shi**y, if you could pull your head out of your as*es for just a moment. This was an accident, they happen. For the people whining and complaining about the way emergency vehicles operate, YOU are the people who flip up your mirrors when you see us, who decide that you will go faster so you don't have to pull over, or who get right on our bumper as a means to break the law and get where your going faster. YOU are the people that need to check your driving skills. YOU are the people who cause accident's. When I drive "CODE 3", not only do I need to concentrate on my driving, I have to take into account all of the moron's that bless our lovely Maine roads. Ask any form of emergency personnel and they will agree. Kelsi's age has nothing to do with this situation and I am appalled that people would look at this and immediately "attack" her because of her age! This just further degrades my belief of the inherent goodness of society. We have gotten to the point where we will take any little morsel of information so we have something to focus all of our negativity on. You should be happy that this particular 21 year old woman is not out partying all night and driving home drunk, like so many of the 21 year old kids that we pickup from car accidents. Instead, she has dedicated her time and energy to save lives, as have all of us. Without first hand experience of what we do, YOU HAVE NOTHING TO SAY! Go about your business and just pray that when you need us, we will NOT be like YOU. We will not be sour, negative beings who have nothing to press upon this world except ignorance and opinionated beliefs. Thank you for your time, you can all return your heads to their proper resting places!

jwalsh: you could not have said it any better!!

wow, lots of mud throwing here. There have been a FEW emt's that have posted without looking like they really need anger management classes. mainesgirlyEMT, wow girl get a grip. Don't let the trolls get to you!

rnmainegrl: we tend to get protective of our own, and, as for anger management, probably all the locked in emotions we hold in to be able to do our jobs to the best of our ability, seeing what we see on a daily basis. I have always believed in a higher power and the goodness of people in general, but, after what I have read about the in here and people slandering someone they have never met, it makes me rethink how I should treat people as well... but I came to the conclusion that I will not stoop to their level and still treat everybody with compassion and respect even if they verbally abuse, physically threaten, or are just plain nasty to me. I could not explain the frustration driving behind a car, with lights and siren's going, and them not pulling over, knowing you have a 20 min "Code 3" drive to an unresponsive patient.

For some of those emotions I am talking about see my comment above on what EMS providers see everyday across the country.

rnmainegrl.....great comment and I have been biting my tongue for hours wanting to say the same thing but knew that if I started a comment I might go someplace not very nice....these medical people claim to be "professionals" but the answers and responses here from EMTs & RNs alike are quite embarrassing to the profession....

Sorry Libeling not slandering.... I think that is Chapter 3 in the EMT-Basic Book

mblock, I understand where you are coming from but this is just a comment section on the BDN. There will be people that you will NOT agree with, it's just not worth all the bitterness & anger. If you do not agree with someone, FINE..let them know. I just HATE where emt's have posted "you are an idiot" or A$$hole...it just does not look good for people in your profession. JMHO.

I just have to say that the person who made the comment about any one that is 21 years old should not be driving and ambulance. That is crap! Do you realize that when you turn 18 you can go get your liscence to drive a trailer truck. Also I believe that when you drive a ambulance you have to go through quite a bit of defensive driving even before you start the job. The driver may have been distracted but the article did say that they had a person on the amblulance and it was their first day. If you have ever had a job you should know that there are alot of questions to be asked. I have some friends that drive an ambulance in my small town and something like this happened. No one got hurt but the driver tried to say that the lights and sirens were not on and in fact they were. Any ways there are alot drivers out there that should not be on the road but everyone needs to pay attention. When I took drivers ed that first thing they taught us was to pull over if there was and emergency vehicle coming. I have seen some vehicles pull across in front of the vehicles and almost cause accidents. And some of these people were old enough to know better. Thank the Lord that no one was hurt.

PabMainer- I understand where you are coming from. Your right, it does look rather unprofessional. Unfortunately these pent up emotions I feel come from years of underpay but possibly, more importantly, the lack of appreciation. All of us in this field know that we didn't take this job to become rich. That's part of the gig! No getting around it! What I personally feel is disheartening, is the fact that we (fire/police/ems) on a daily basis, have to "look over our shoulder" on every thing we do. Occasionally, you will bump into someone in your local Wal-Mart and they will come up to you and say "Thank You". That is a great feeling, it really is. But more often than not, there is nothing. You hear stories from other places where someone is sueing an ambulance because the EMT's didn't save their relative, or the police used the PIT manuever on a fleeing suspect and he was injured, or the fire department did "excessive" damage while overhauling after a fire. We all took this job because we want to help. Not because of the pay or glory. It's just unfortunate that alot of people take the job that we do for granted. That's all. I don't mean to be unprofesional. if I am, I'm sorry. Thanks.

rnmainegrl: I know there are people who disagree with me, that is the great benefit of living in the USA. I just feel that if you are going to have an opinion that you know all the facts about an issue before you make an uninformed and hurtful comment. I also agree that EMS is trying to be recognizes as a profession and that some of the postings on here are not to flattering to that extent.

I HAVE READ EACH COMMENT. I KNOW SONE WHO HAVE POSTED HERE. THEY KNOW WHO THEY ARE, AND KNOW ME. I RECENTLY RETIRED FROM 23 YEARS IN THE FIRE SERVICE, AND 7 YEARS IN THE EMS FIELD. I DON'T LOOK AT MYSELF OR ANY OTHER FF/EMT AS HEROES. WE/THEY ARE DOING A JOB, THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, AND FORTUNATLY FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD, WE DO THE JOB, IN ANY WEATHER, TIME OF DAY, OR REGARDLESS OF WHO WE ARE CALLED TO PROTECT. THAT IS THE JOB! YOU EITHER HAVE IT OR NOT! MOST EMERGENCY SERVICE WORKERS I KNOW HAVE AN HONOR, AND CODE BY WHICH THEY LIVE. THAT DOES NOT MAKE THEM ABOVE ANYONE, THEY ARE STILL HUMAN, AND WE HUMANS MAKE MISTAKES. THAT IS THE NATURE OF THE BEAST.

NOW, SOME ARE POINTING FINGERS HERE. I HAVE DRIVEN BOTH AN AMBULANCE, AND FIRE APPARATUS OF ALL SIZES AND SHAPES. IT IS NOT AN EASY JOB. YOU DON'T JUST GO FROM YOUR CAR TO AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE, AND DRIVE. THE STATE MANDATES EACH PERSON ELIGBLE TO DRIVE MUST HAVE HOURS OF TRAINING TO DO SO. I HAVE SEEN POOR DRIVERS, THAT WITH TRAINING BECOME GREAT DRIVERS.

FOR THOSE THAT THINK DRIVING ANY EMERGENCY VEHICLE IS EASY. JOIN YOUR LOCAL FD, OR VOLUTEER AMBULANCE COMPANY. GET BEHIND THE WHEEL, AND THEN COME BACK, AND COMMENT!

ok a ambulance in the oncoming lane cresting the hill behind me, passing me as im taking a left... lights or not.. this is a disaster waiting to happen. the car driver wasnt at fault, Im sure it took mere seconds to happen. our professionals are saddled with so much stuff while they are driving its a wonder this doesnt happen more often, police running plates on thier laptop in the cruiser , while driving, talking on the cell phone ,taking notes, and the radio, the state wont tell you its being done, but it is, officialy they arent supposed to, unofficially they are encouraged to do so and be more productive per hour. bottom line professionals are just people too. they seem to forget that.. ambulance drivers get it a little easier, but they are tasked with so much including saftey of the vehicle.. for safety ..things should be simpler, but maine requires so much of them that stuff like this will happen.. glad everyone is ok.

Unprofessional? I don't think so. When I comment on this post, I do so as a private citizen. When on duty, I, and every other emergency service worker I know, conduct themselves with the highest level of professionalism.

I have no problem with somebody having a different opinion on this post. Disagree with me. Really, it's fine. When you have people that make idiotic comments such as "Sorority girl," "Hot dog ambulance driver," etc., that goes beyond any sort of rational, educated thought and enters the realm of ignorance. So, if you want to sound like an idiot, or an a*shole, don't be surprised when somebody who happens to know what happens in EMS on a daily basis calls you out for what you really are: an idiot and/or an a*shole.

As the mother of a firefighter and EMT and as the wife of a police officer, I have to say that I am very proud of the work that they do. I personally know several of the County Ambulance personnel and you could not ask for a better group of people. They are a close knit family of people who share common values and goals. They sacrifice their time, energy and money to educate themselves to provide better care to the public. Several nights a month are dedicated to training and education.....this is in addition to their formal training on the road to becoming certified. I can assure you that my son and my husband, as well as their colleagues, do this type of work because of their desire to help people and to make their communities a better place to live. It certainly is not for the money. They do not do it for the thrill..........There is not one of them who will tell you that they were excited and thrilled about going into a room where someone has taken their own life, or arriving at a car accident and seeing a close friend on loved one as the victim. They do not get excited about someone experiencing pain. They do everything they can to alleviate pain and suffering. They are not reckless with people's lives. They are dedicated to saving them. I am always aware of an ambulance or an emergency vehicle but you would not believe how many people who are oblivious to emergency response vehicles. Perhaps you tshould consider that they may be on their way to save your loved one. Some members of our community's mindset disturbs me greatly. You gripe and complain about these people until you need them and then you want them immediately and once your emergency is over you probably would still gripe and complain. I agree with the other writer earlier.........go out and hug and EMT, firefighter or police officer or simply say Thank you. Many are former servicemen and women and like the military they put their life on the line for you and very seldom ever receive any gratitude. To all the County Ambulance personnel and HFVD personnel....KUDOS to you..... Signed Spanky's mom

I would like to say a big thank you to the driver and staff that work on ambulances. First of all, I think some of the comments regarding what happened have been very harsh. Without having been there I think many are making comments on heresay which can be very dangerous. Each and everyone of us are intitled to our opinons, but when they are so judgemental and hurtful, it does no one any good. Not even the person expressing themselves. I was in an auto accident several years ago and the care i received from County was great, I was scared and not really sure how injured I was and I was treated with such dignity and compassion that my fears were eased. Also many years ago before we had EMTs as a nurse I rode the ambulance many times with people who had a great variety of medical problems. Some of the things drivers of the other vehicles did were just unbelievable from turning left in front of the ambulance, not pulling over to let the ambulance pass, to chasing the ambulance to see where it was going. Hot dogging ambulance driver's I hardly think so. I will tell you from my experience it is not easy caring for your loved ones in the back of an ambulance, many times you are tending them while you are standing and trying to balance yourself. Taking vital signs, trying to start an IV or give blood to them, plus saying a little prayer that you get them to the care they need alive. Again I give a big thank you to those who do this work. For those of you that think you might be able to do a better job, please sign up and become an EMT. I would be intersted in your comments after you have made a few runs.

I hate to ask such an ignorant question, but are drivers expected to give way (pull off to the right) to emergency vehicles even when their lights are not flashing? I always pull over when lights are flashing, but I never have when an emergency vehicle did not have their lights flashing. I guess I'm just a little confused reading some the posts made by rescue personnel -- it sounds like they're saying they have the right of way at all times, which if that is the case, it's fine, I just need to know so that I can be a responsible driver. Thanks!

anonymousmainer- No. Without lights/sirens (code 1) running, we must obey all traffic laws that everybody in their own personal vehicles must abide by. It is during an emergency, that we drive with lights/siren (code 3). During this time, we ask that you pull to the right and stop and allow us to go by.

anonymousmainer: No you do not have to have to pull over when the lights are not going...You just have to Pull to the RIGHT and STOP when an Ambulance is coming from behind you or toward you. Though it is nice when someone offers us the right of way when we are not going "Code 3." We sometimes have a hospital to hospital transfer that doesn't require lights but we still need to try to minimize the out of hospital time. Thanks for the question!!

Anonymousmainer: Thank you for asking the most simple of questions and my esteemed coworker has answered it flawlessly. I thank you for yielding to us when we are responding to a call, and for those rare instances when we are returning a sick or injured person to the hospital. You are not among the ignorant in any way shape or form, you seek education and we appreciate that!

All of which, needs to be done with "due regard" as you have heard other poster's say. Which, in a nut shell means, "as safely as possible"

as a FireFighter and a past Fire Chief, i have to put my two cents in.

in order to drive a rescue vehicle the driver has to do a evoc class.

that being said,,i truly believe there should be a law on age,,i belive to drive a rescue you should be over 30,,and i also believe to drive a fire truck you should have to have a class a license.

if we did these laws,,you would see less accidents

The Bull: Well let me count That would make half of the current Paramedic class at EMCC unable to drive an ambulance. And the majority of all current students in EMT-Basic Classes....

Hmmmm over the age of 30? and we have a shortage up personnel now??

TheBull- It's always good to hear from a fellow firefighter and it's especially nice to hear what a Chief has to say. I hear what you are saying about fire apparatus, and I agree at least to a class "B" level. I myself paid the money out of my pocket to obtain my class "B" license with airbrake and tanker endorsement. I felt that with this license, I would have the knowledge/capability to handle fire equipment. Unfortunately, Maine being the mostly rural state that it is, I think that this would definetely "hamper" the volunteer fire service. Many department's cannot afford to pay for their member's to get their commercial license. That being the case, department's need to properly train their personnel on the operation of their equipment. As well as, continuing the training beyond the initial EVOC. Log's need to be kept, documenting each member's time in the apparatus. Until you reach a certain amount of time in that apparatus, you are not cleared to operate it. Again, I agree with your statement for a commercial license. However, I don't feel it would be feasible and still keep the volunteer service alive. Respectfully.

Yet another hot topic unwound from this article! I love it! "TheBull", Chief, thank you for your input however I feel much the same as jwalsh, it is not an easily acquired and measurable mark for the volunteer fire service. As an ex chief, you know first hand the stresses associated with having people on the roads, but you do it in the name of the job. We all learn risk assessment, and put it to use every time we get behind the wheel of our own vehicles (POV's). That same thought process goes through our heads when we haul it into the drivers seat in an ambulance or a fire truck.

Thankfully, MEMS has mandated AVOC training for all persons operating ambulance vehicles in the State of Maine. This must be accomplished within 6 months of hire. That is a great step...and one if I am not mistaken that was brought about by another tragedy a few years back when we lost a paramedic in a motor vehicle crash.

Your age concern is unyielding. It has been stated by many of my fellow EMS providers that this career is becoming a career for the youth. While the "old timers" are still out and running strong, thier replacements for the most part will be under 21 when they complete the goal of becoming a Paramedic. I am afraid that this will not change, nor do I believe should it. These young people show up to work in thier tiny little "green" POV's, they may have never even driven a pickup truck...they are going to drive. You should see the fear in thier eyes first hand, when we ask them to simply move it out of the bay by themselves so we can sweep up. It is not a "HOT DOG" seat, and not one that is taken lightly. They see that they need to respect it from that first moment turning the key, and that is the beginning of thier learning curve. It progresses from there.

Are there people that I would not allow to drive me while working in the back....yes indeed, however, it is my job to ensure that they fully understand that responsibility and if they refuse to accept it, it is my continued duty to get them off the road. Just as a matter of fact, and to pull us back to this incident that we have been discussing at great length, the people involved in this ambulance crash are NOT among those I do not entrust my life to.

Perhaps we can all walk away from this with some new found respect across the board. Thank you all for your time

An age limit isn't a bad idea, but that isn't what happened. A law requiring fire fighters to have at least a class B license is not a bad idea. An ambulance weighs nothing like a loaded fire truck and handles nothing like one. Get a clue. What happened here is someone wasnt paying attention. If this was a non emergency maybe the lights were on but no siren, that should be against the law. If you are going to use lights you will use your siren. Or maybe no lights or siren were in use, and speed may have been an issue. We dont know, everyone should be happy that those in both vehicle were not hurt, mainly those in the back of the ambulance. There are some many things that could have happened. Maybe the driver should not have been distracted, I have driven both fire trucks and ambulances, as driver you cant allow the emotions to get to you, remember ITS NOT MY EMERGENCY , I DIDN'T CALL FOR HELP. It sounds mean and wrong but as a first responder your life is more important.

Lots of thoughts go through my head as I read the comments on here. Relieved to know everyone is o.k.. I am impressed and overwhelmed once again in my life with the proffessionalism that was displayed by all that day. I am however surprised that nobody has asked one question........did the lights even work on that particular ambulance???? The ambulances that these people operate every day are "rode hard and put away wet" .....so too speak. Hours and hours of use that goes above and beyond the use of regular every day vehicles takes its toll this equipment. They barelu ever get the chance to be allowed time to be "out of service" for the numerous necessary repairs....and then when they are able to be taken out for a day or two it is exremely difficult to find someone qualified and competent enough to work on them.......ask any EMT. Once agian, glad t o know everyone is ok....keep doing what you all do best! Although I do personally believe t hat all accidents are avoidable lets stop the inquisition here and allow everyone involved to take this as a moment in time to learn what we can do better next time. Get back on that horse and ride Kelsi!

emtff105:

First of all, thanks for your concern. Second, yes, the lights on that rig were in working order. They are checked at the beginning of each shift during the rig check. And yes, we do have a competent shop that regulary services our vehicles. County has 3 "back line" ambulances that are in place in case a rig is out of service. We do all that we can possibly do to ensure that the communities we service have qualified EMT's with the proper gear 24/7/365.

Maine EMT......please be more careful what you write and who you respond to......I am VERY familiar with the practices of ambulance maintenance. I'm not one of those on here trying to place blame......I was simply trying to bring up another point of safety for the crews in these ambulances and remind everyone to use this as a learning expeience so it doesnt happen again....as it has all too often in recent weeks locally.....before someone gets hurt. In my job after every single call we group together and discuss what we could do better the next time....no matter how good we feel we are there is always room for improvement. I was kinda hoping t his discussion could change from laying blame to a positive discussion to prevent further "accidents."

As for your defensive comments regarding the quality of maintenance on the rigs at County. and the frequency and thoroughness of rigs checks........I refuse to stoop to t he levels here but would love to discuss this further with you....maybe tomorrow? face to face?

emtff105: If you are very familiar with those practices, you wouldn't have had to ask that question. If you are familiar with Countys rig checks (and it sounds like you are very, very familiar), I would hope you are just as thorough in doing them. Of course I will discuss that with you.

In an effort to save some of my friends from any further embarrasment, let me simply say this....Don't throw stones in a glass house...Just trust me

Hi rgpemt...I'm not aware of any stones or houses...glass or otherwise. My comments were most sincere. If I'm missing something regarding rig checks, I definately want to know about it. I care too much about our safety. If somebody knows something that I don't, please, help me out.

Please stop being so defensive and simply ask yourself what you can do better the next t ime you roll out of the doors........

There are a lot of people who have written on here who have very good points and I, too, are impressed. I understand wanting to put an age limit on driving. Some insurance companies for ambulance services you be anywhere from 18-25 WITH AVOC certification to be able to drive. That is not to mention the countless hours we have to take the rigs out to drive around on back roads to get used to handling, the feel, etc of the rig. rgpemt brings up a good point that this profession is younger and younger. I am 22 so I fall into that "age" category. That doesn't mean I ought to be trusted less. In fact I drive some of these County medics in the back of my ambulance when they back my crew up sometimes. They trust me and because they trust me, the patient trusts me. It may not be an out right "I trust you, drive me around a lot" type of trust, but if they feel safe like they are going to go to get the help they need being unscathed, thats what matters to me. The past chief who recently wrote on here...I agree with you about the special license for the firetruck. It is a large vehicle with a lot of weight behind it. I will be the first to admit that I definitely would not drive one of those trucks without the proper training just like I wouldn't drive an ambulance without it. I would want to be comfortable with myself driving it first.

anonymousmainer: the emts who have commented below you I respect very much. They have been in this line of work for a long time and have a lot of time behind the wheel and in the back. The way they explain ambulance rules is right to the T. I appreciate the fact that you asked that question. It makes our jobs easier knowing that some people want to be responsible drivers. All people are responsible to me UNTIL they prove themselves else wise. I want to see how the investigation plays out before I say if I think someone was being reckless.

Thanks to all the other EMT/Firefighters/Police who help and do their duty every day. I love my job and definitely don't do this for the money. You all help me do my job and keep me in check. Thank you.

emtff105: No defense, and certainly no offense intended. I ask myself that question regularly and have asked others (I'm sure I've asked you as well). I've always followed that advice. I've talked to others about the points made above and I do want to talk to you about it. If you're on tonight I let the others know I can be there in 15 if coverage is needed. Great time to chat if you're not busy.

I almost got ran over by an ambulance on the Hogan Road in Bangor because they were FLYING and did NOT have their sirens on. They did have their lights on, but I didn't see them until they were right in front of my windshield. It was late afternoon and the sun was setting so visibility was low. Ambulances drive way too fast. I don't care what kind of emergency they have going on inside the vehicle, it gives them no right to put other people in danger.

Kelsi is very competent, more so than a majority of people in this forum. I was actually sirprised to learn that she was only 21 based on her maturity. With her being a black belt in karate I know that her reflexes are "top notch". We should be glad no one was injured more than they were.

Rogue_Wave - I couldn't agree with you more. I have read several of your posts and find myself on the same side every time. I especially enjoyed the whole "temple" fiasco...I laughed hysterically! To all of the nay-sayer's on here, knowing Kelsi personally, I will put her maturity level and ability up against anyone who thinks otherwise. If you were to speak with her in casual conversation or otherwise, you would be shocked to learn she is only 21. She is very well spoken and knowledgable for her age. As Mr. Wave said, be happy no one was hurt any more than they were. Her reflexes avoided an accident that could have been far worse.

THERE IS SO MUCH FOOLISH READING HERE I DON'T KNOW IF THIS FACT HAS BEEN MENTIONED...........IN SOME CASES IF THEY ARE TRANSPORTING A PERSON WITH A HEART CONDITION AND THEY ARE USING CERTAIN EQUIPMENT THEY CAN NOT USE THE SIREN......

I can't believe the comments from people who don't know Kelsi, her driving experience, or all the details of the accident. Those of us in fire and ems know the whole story never gets in the papers. When lights and sirens are runniing there is a reason, as was the case with this call. There are too many drivers out there who won't take responsibility for their own driving. Pull to the right and stop. We are all in a hurry in today's life, but when you see an emenrgency vehicle with lights and sirens, there could be somebody going to save the life of somebody you know. I have been behind many drivers that for whatever reason do not pull over and take advantage of those doing the right thing by speeding up and going around. What could possibly be the reason you don't pull over? There is NO good reason. Those that have never driven an emergency vehicle and don't know the requirements should just shut up. There are rules we have to follow as well. Age does not make a difference. If I were to drop today and needed to get to the hospital asap, I would have no problem with Kelsi being the driver, and I know my friends and family on the road would be safe with her running lights and sirens. The most important thing is that nobody was seriously hurt. I'll be glad to see everyone on the next call in Sorrento. Kelsi, try to ignore all these comments. Your friends at Sorrento Fire and Rescue support you.

Donald... thanks :-0).. no medical training.. spouse is a in Law Enforcement... more like PLAIN OLD COMMON SENSE training. The car was 2 cars in front on her stopped to make a left turn b4 she came up on them HOW ARE THEY SUPPOSED TO JUST MOVE OUT OF THE WAY WHEN THERE IS ONCOMING TRAFFIC ON 1 SIDE AND CARS FLYING BY THE OTHER SIDE.... THE DRIVE OF THE RIG HAD TO HAVE SOME CONTROL OVE RTHE SITUATION TO DRIVE THAT FAST.... PLAIN AND SIMPLE, THESE OBJECTS OFTEN CAN'T MOVE OUT OF THE WAY QUICK ENOUGH! ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE ARE 2 ONCOMING LANES OF TRAFFIC COMING UP THE HILL TOWARDS YOU.

C $ D$ G $ L$ Glad that the crew from Saturday is okay after a scary close call .Kelsi, great job keeping it from going over that could have ben really bad for all.

Tikitorch...your welcome. Isn't this unbelievable...these County Ambulance employees are all defending the wrong point. Its real simple, mistakes were made by all involved. The ambulance driver still has to drive with due regard for safety of others as the law states.. I think Dan at County ought to review the law and train his people better or bring in an outside instructor knowledgeable on the laws. They obviously dont get it by their attitudes and vulgar language, shows the maturity level and professionalism that is lacking in the company. Wait till the lawyers come around, these posts by their employees exhibiting their attitudes and lack of understanding are going to be very helpful for someone...

Donald - Your absolutely right. All parties involved could have done something different and possibly avoided this. But, as a County Ambulance employee, speaking for myself and not for the company or others. I think that the biggest bone of contention here, is the fact that alot of people feel that she is too young and irresponsible to drive an ambulance. That is the point that I feel is causing this forum to explode to 140+ comments. I could be wrong, and if I am then I am. But I can tell you Dan at County, does not teach the AVOC class for County and does use outside instructors. I hope that sometime soon we ALL (myself included) can stop the back and forth poo flinging that this has turned into. Thanks.

jwalsh, thank you for posting that. Emotions can get in the way sometimes, but it certainly did not look good for some emt's posting what they did, even if they were on their own time, they were still representing.

Just read the article for this on Ellsworth American's website. I think that article tells the story a bit better, now that the State Police have had time to investigate what happened. The keys points are as follows:

1. The driver was distracted, but it was because she was communicating with other personnel in the back. Although unfortunate, those kind of distractions in an ambulance are unavoidable.

2. There was no indication that the driver was speeding.

3. No charges will be filed. Correct me if I am wrong, but in my understanding, that means that nobody was at fault. Not the EMT driving the ambulance, and not the gentleman driving the other car involved in the crash.

Everybody has ambulance horror stories, and everybody knows people of all ages that are not mature enough to operate an emergency vehicle, but that isn't the case here. Hindsight is always 20/20. I hope all the lively discussion appearing here on this post will be a wake up call to ALL motorists to keep an eye on the rearview mirror and give emergency vehicles the right of way, and to ALL those that operate emergency vehicles to keep in mind that some people just will not see you no matter what, so be ready for the unexpected.

Here is the link to the story:

http://ellsworthmaine.com/site/index.php/2009011918850/Latest/Five-Injured-in-Car-and-Ambulance-Collision.html

Interesting. This comment doesn't actually pertain to the story, but to a comment I made in regard Bill Trotter's reporting skills, which was removed? I mentioned that he wrote a story about me, without bothering to interview me -- he made NO attempt to contact me whatsoever. It was a complete surprise when a friend called and said that there was a story about me in the paper. I guess it's just interesting to me that the BDN would censor a comment like that.

MaineEMT no charges does not mean that noone is at fault.. It means that no crime was committed or laws broken to ticket anyone... But the accident was sertaily one of the drivers fault.. PS Mrs Parr passed away yesterday....