Dispatchers…gifts
from Heaven. (The representation in the above photo of a headset...it is actually a Halo). On this particular day the Motor Officer was working a section of
freeway he hadn’t worked in several years. Short staffed the beat assignments
were made based on traffic volume and motorist safety so the confines of very
familiar territory was distant. It was early in the shift and traffic was still
light and moving at freeway speeds. While on patrol he encountered a stalled
vehicle in the center divider. It was a late model Corvette, not a vehicle one
usually encounters disabled. As he turned on his rear flashers and got off his
motor to check with the driver he informed his Dispatcher of his location and
circumstance. The driver of the Vette got out and walked back to the Officer
and his motorcycle.
“L.A.
15-6-2 Mary, 97 (arrived at) with disabled vehicle, center divider, E/B 10 at
Central.”
The
Dispatcher calmly responded.
“6-2
Mary, 10-4 (message received.) Be advised there is no center divider there. You
are in the fast lane.”
The
Officer quickly got back on his motor, apparently parked in the fast lane, or
Number 1 lane of a five lane section of freeway, in on one of the busiest
freeways in Los Angeles. He instructed the driver of the Corvette to get on his
motor, sit on top of the motorcycle’s radio box and hang on. The driver quickly
complied. It would be revealed later the driver feared for his life based on the
obvious anxiety and demeanor of the Officer’s tone had he not followed the demanding instructions.
Quickly
the Officer activated his Emergency lights, cleared the lanes to his right and
headed for the safety of the freeway’s right shoulder, one that did exist. They did make it to the safety of the shoulder…but not before the Corvette was
struck by another vehicle at full speed and basically disintegrated before its owner’s eyes.
More
calmly now the Officer regained his own composer. Momentarily tried to calm the
owner at the total loss of his dream car, now in pieces, and then relayed to his Dispatcher.
“L.A., 15 6-2 Mary, be advised I’m 97 safely on the right shoulder with the driver. Thank you! Roll
Paramedics, two 11-85’s (tow trucks) and a unit for traffic assist to the
Number 1 Lane, I-10 E/B at Central Ave. Thank you! Have them bring in a traffic break.”
(The unit will slow down all traffic as they approach the accident scene.)
“15-6-2 Mary…10-4, You're welcome."
“L.A., 15 6-2 Mary…Thank you. Flowers or Bourbon?
Did
I mention Dispatchers are gifts from Heaven?
No comments:
Post a Comment