Title: Without Reservation
By: FanofRandy
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. Emergency! is owned by Universal and Mark VII Productions. I write for pure enjoyment and to stretch my imagination…I do not make any profit from these characters or stories.
Summary: A new policy had Gage worried and Brackett concerned for this young Paramedic. What happens will change their relationship, and other friendships Johnny has forged, forever.
It had been months since the Paramedic Bill, now called the Wedsworth-Townsend Act, passed allowing the Los Angeles County Paramedics to practice their live-saving skills without on-site supervision. Since the program began, the statistics on lives saved had already shown a marked improvement. Dr. Brackett AND Nurse Dixie McCall could attest to that on a personal level. But, there was still much to learn about this new "chapter" in Emergency Care and Rescue.
Dr. Brackett met with some doctors from Harbor General, Battalion Chief Conrad, Assemblyman Wolski, and a few other interested parties to discuss the Paramedic program further. Many concerns were raised about the men who would participate. Many of these men were/would be returning veterans; for that was the point behind the program—use the returning medics from VietNam to provide life-saving care on the scene. They were also firefighters—a job in itself which was fraught with danger and stress. And, many of them were already experiencing signs of stress and fatigue. "That is because it took so long for this bill to be passed. And, they were unable to use their training. Imagine being trained to do something and not being allowed to do it!" Assemblyman Wolski determined in his mind.
"So, gentleman, as we sum this up; I think we all agree that complete physicals and mental health assessments will be made on all these men at the time they are certified. We will conduct yearly reviews to see what, if any, affect this new role has on them from a physical and mental standpoint." Dr. Brackett stated.
All the men nodded their agreement.
Chief Conrad added, "Gentleman, I appreciate that this group understands the added burden these men have on them. They are supervised by two entities—the hospital and the fire department and that could be confusing for them at times. Also, since they have more training and skills, the loss of life could be more of a burden to them than it was before with just basic first aid training for the Rescue Men. A mistake or wrong decision could be an overwhelming stressor to these men. I'm glad we're thinking of this before the fact, rather than when it becomes too late."
The men in the room appreciated the man's comments and thought that he should certainly know having come up through the ranks of the Fire Department.
Dr. Brackett returned to Rampart and began preparing notices for all the Paramedics to report for their physicals and psychological evaluations. He knew that some of the men would give him a hard time, but he also knew that it was necessary for the success of the program and the welfare of "his" Paramedics.
"Hmm…I never thought I would refer to them as 'my Paramedics', but they are a likable bunch, "Brackett thought as he signed the last of the notices.
He talked with Dr.'s Joe Early and his new resident, Mike Morton to help with the physicals and he talked with a psychologist, familiar with counseling emergency personnel, to do the psychological evaluations. Dr. Brackett thought the process should take about 3 weeks if everyone scheduled their appointments right away…they only had 24 trained Paramedics so far. There were two more classes about to commence in a few weeks—one at Harbor General and one at Rampart. They would get their physicals and psych assessments once they received their certification, too.
"What in the hell is this?" John Gage nearly yelled. "We have to get physicals and see a shrink?"
Roy patted his shoulder to calm him, "Johnny, its okay. It's all part of the program…"
"No, this is not what I signed up for!" John cut him off.
"What's the big deal, Junior," Roy continued, "You had a physical when you went through the academy, and they did a mental assessment then, too. This is not that much different."
John was inconsolable. He slammed his locker door after he shoved the paper inside. He stormed out into the bay toward the Captain's office. He knocked at the closed door and heard a gruff, "Enter." Johnny opened the door and stepped inside.
"Gage, good morning. What can I do for you?" Captain Stanley motioned for is young Paramedic to sit.
"I'll stand, Cap. Cap, the reason I am in here is that we got this…this..summons to go to Rampart to get complete physicals and psych assessments. I don't want to do it, Cap." John Gage mumbled out the words as his Captain looked on in silence.
Captain Stanley nodded his head. He had only worked with Gage a short time. Station 51 was a new Station and one of the first to have Paramedics. Hank Stanley had only been Captain at the station for a few months. He knew the Fire Department was venturing into new territory with the Paramedic Program and was ready for whatever came his way…after all, that is why he had a stripe on his helmet, right? The Captain looked at his young charge, who had taken a seat, and patted John's knee, "Gage, by what I understand, this is going to be the procedure for all new Paramedics. The Chief and the doctors want to be sure that the added stress of the job does not take any addition toll on you-physically or mentally. I actually think it is a pretty good idea."
John Gage looked at his Captain as though he had slapped him in the face. "You agree with this new policy, Cap?" Johnny yelped.
"Yeh, Pal, I do. I think that our job is tough enough—and, then you add all the extra training and skills guys've learned. You're doing twice the job and getting the same pay and benefits. The stress may be too much for some guys…and, I think we need to be monitoring that so we can intervene if it becomes necessary. Gage, call and make your appointment." Captain Stanley stood and motioned for Gage to leave, "We have to get on with roll call and duty assignments."
Gage left the Captain's office even angrier than he had been before. "How could Cap agree with this?" John thought. "I'm not gonna call them. They can call ME if they want me to come in." John huffed under his breath.
Two weeks later, all the currently certified Paramedics had made appointments for their physicals and most of them had met with the psychologist, too. All, except for one, John Gage. "He is my problem child," Brackett pondered, "I'm gonna have to MAKE him do this and that's not gonna do anything to improve our rapport; that's for sure." Brackett stepped out of his office just in time to see Roy DeSoto and John Gage standing at the Nurse's Station talking with Dixie.
"Here goes," Brackett sighed.
"John Gage. Just the man I was looking for. Can I see you for a second?" Brackett called down the hall.
Johnny turned his head toward the voice and his eyes seethed, "What does he want", he said aloud.
"Have you scheduled your physical yet, Junior? Maybe he wants to reschedule or something." Roy offered.
Johnny just glared at Roy while he walked toward Brackett's office. Roy was still getting to know his partner, but that was a look he hoped he'd never have to see again.
"What is that all about?" Dixie asked Roy. Roy just shrugged his shoulders.
As Johnny walked in to Room #127—Dr. Brackett's personal office—he felt like a little kid being called to see the principal—and, he certainly had a lot of experience with THAT from his childhood. He walked in to the moderately decorated office and stood between the chairs in front of the doctor's desk. "Have a seat, Johnny," Dr. Brackett said in his nicest tone…trying to ease the tension in the room.
"I'm okay, doc. What's this about?" Johnny questioned, but already knew the answer.
"Well, Johnny, you are the only Paramedic who has not scheduled your complete physical or met with the psychologist. I had hoped to review all the findings by the end of next week, but I need to have your results in order to do that."
"Why can't you just use the physical I had when I entered the Department? It wasn't that long ago, you know…" Johnny trailed off…trying to appease the doctor.
"Johnny, we need to have a full physical—full body x-rays; complete blood tests; a complete neurological work-up; and, the psych assessment. The physical you had when you entered the department was not that extensive. And, we need to account for any injuries you have had since you entered the department, too." Dr. Brackett explained.
"Doc, I swallowed some smoke a few times, that's all. Do I really have to do this?" Johnny pleaded.
"Why is he so adamantly against this," Dr. Brackett wondered, before saying, "Yes, Johnny, you do. If I have to order you to do it on your next day off, I will. But, I would like you to schedule it yourself, when you are available."
"Whatever, doc. I'll come by tomorrow after shift change…about 8:30, okay with you?" Johnny relented.
"I will be here, Johnny." Dr. Brackett said, but only to a closing door as Johnny had stormed out of the room.
TBC