Hi everyone! This is my first FanFic ever. I've always loved the show "Emergency!" and I'm really excited about basing my own story off of the characters. I do not own any of these characters except Dr. Valerie Parker or otherwise stated. Also, I am not a doctor, nor have I ever been trained in the medical field, so my info such as vital signs, diagnostics, and prescriptions may not, and probably are not accurate. But I do try and do research beforehand so I can get as accurate as possible. If I do make a mistake, and you know the correct info, please let me know and I will change it! I want to make my story as accurate as possible! Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy my story! : )
Chapter 1
Dr. Brackett and I were finishing up our first set of rounds for the day. With this being my first day as an ER intern at Rampart General Hospital, I felt like I was doing very well. Just as we were passing the nurses' station, a pager began to go off, and a man's voice sounded, "Rampart, this is Squad 51, do you read me?" Dr. Brackett turned to me and said, "This is where we communicate with the paramedics on emergency scenes. Whatever you're doing, if this goes off, answer it. Unless that is, you are with a patient. Well, go ahead; you are here to learn by hands on experience, not just by observation." He motioned for me to take over the phone. I cautiously walked over to the piece of equipment. Many times had I seen doctors answer calls, but I couldn't believe I was now the one in charge. I pressed record on the tapes and answered the call, "This is Rampart, go ahead." Nurse McCall appeared next to me ready to write down the patient's vitals and symptoms.
"Rampart, we have a male, approximate age 55. He is suffering from extreme second and third degree burns on his arms, legs, and chest. His BP is 110 over 60, pulse is 23 and respiration is 16; Requesting an IV." I looked at Dr. Brackett; he just nodded his head to continue. I tried to hide my nervousness, and replied, "Squad 51, start a drip with Lactated Ringer's and administer 5mg MS-IV."
"10-4 IV with Ringer's and 5mg MS."
"10-4 51. What is your ETA?"
"ETA," there was a brief pause, "10 minutes."
"51, bring him straight to Treatment room 2." With finishing my last order I let out a sigh of relief. I did it; I didn't screw up. Dr. Brackett's face lit up with a smile, "Very well done Dr. Parker! You sounded like you've been doing that for years! Dix, could you set up a sterile room in Treatment room 2? Also alert the burn unit. Dr. Parker would you help?"
"Yes Dr. Brackett." I couldn't help but smile to myself. I actually did it right.
When Nurse McCall and I were in the room she turned to me, "Dr. Brackett was right, you did very well for your first time. I have a feeling that from now on you'll be working at the base station." I gave a soft laugh, "You know, I was extremely nervous out there. Dr. Brackett makes me nervous, the paramedics make me nervous, even I make myself nervous. I'm just afraid I'll make a mistake, and then it's not a good situation for anyone." Nurse McCall walked around the bed and patted my arm. "I always tell my nurses to just think of Dr. Brackett as a colleague and not your boss. He's there to help you learn, not to intimidate you or point out your flaws. As for the paramedics, those two from Squad 51 are the best in the business. Roy DeSoto is very good at his job, and really cares for his patients. And Johnny, he's the one you talked to over the phone, he is also really great, but I'd have to say he's a little girl crazy. He's dated half my nurses here at the hospital, but I don't know why, nothing ever works out. So, I'm just preparing you, with you here now, I wouldn't give it long before he notices you. Expect a phone call at least twice a day!" We were both laughing at this point. "Thank you Ms. McCall."
"Oh please honey, it's Dixie."
By this time, the ambulance attendants were wheeling in a gurney with a man on it. They were followed by a fireman carrying the IV that I had prescribed. I didn't hesitate with checking patients vitals. I pulled back the blanket. Nothing in the medical books would have prepared me for this. This man had blisters, charred skin, and even holes that revealed bone. All I could think about was that I was going to be sick. I closed my eyes and gripped the gurney to keep myself from falling over. Someone laid their hand on my shoulder. I opened my eyes to see the paramedic talking to me, but couldn't hear anything. I pulled myself together and I could hear him asking me, "Are you alright?" I shook my head and answered yes. Without causing any more trouble, I went ahead with my examination, ignoring the natural instinct to be repulsed by the man's condition. By then Dr. Brackett was flying into the room, asking about the vitals. I replied that they had not changed.
"Dr. Parker, what do you suggest now, after all he is your patient."
"He needs to get to the burn unit, he's in critical condition." Everyone was standing around waiting his orders. "Well you all heard the doctor! Get him upstairs!" Now that everyone was rushing out of the room, I could take a moment to clear out my head. I didn't realize that Brackett was still in the room until I heard him say, "Dr. Parker, why don't you take a break and finish up his chart. I'll go upstairs with him." I was completely caught off guard. "Oh, sorry Dr. Brackett, I didn't know you were still here..."
"No, it's alright. You deserve a break anyway; you've done very well this morning."
The first thing I did was that I went and got a cup of coffee. The caffeine would help me take my mind off other things. I was sitting at the nurses' station finishing up the man's chart. Suddenly, I heard the sound of someone clearing their throat and I looked up. Leaning against the nurses' station was a fireman; a very attractive fireman. He was tall, lean, well-tanned, and handsome. He spoke first, "Hi there. I've never seen you around here before." I smiled, "Yes, well this is my first day here in the ER at Rampart." The man extended his hand, "I'm John Gage, but everyone calls me Johnny." I shook his hand, "Valerie Parker, nice to meet you." I internally laughed thinking back to the words that Dixie told me, and I have to agree, that didn't take long at all. Another fireman walked up, and I was guessing that was Roy. He asked me, "Are you sure you're alright? You looked like you were going to pass out in there." I could feel the blood running to my face. "I'm fine; I was just caught off guard." He must have realized my embarrassment because he quickly changed the subject. He motioned towards Johnny, "I see you've already met my partner Johnny here," He extended his hand, "Roy DeSoto." I shook his hand, "Valerie Parker, nice to meet you. It's an honor to finally meet the famous paramedics that I hear are the best in the business." Johnny excited interjected, "Really? Is that so? Well, have you heard..." Before he could finish, one of the nurses, which I couldn't remember her name, walked up and handed me another chart. "Dr. Parker, Dixie said there's a child that needs stitches in Treatment room 1, and asked if you could cover it."
"Thank you…" I glanced at her name tag, "Angie. I'll cover it." Out of the corner of my eyes, I could see Johnny's face dropping from that huge smile to a completely shocked expression. Johnny cleared his throat and stuttered, "Y-you're a doctor?" I laughed, "Just an intern though." As if we were saved by the bell, their handy-talkie went off, "Squad 51, are you available?"
"Squad 51, available," Roy replied.
"Squad 51 and Engine 51, unknown type of rescue. 456 Orange Grove Drive." Roy nodded his head and clapped Johnny on the back, shaking him out of his shock. "Johnny, we better get going, nice to meet you Dr. Parker." Johnny cleared his throat again, "Uh yes, nice to meet you... Dr. Parker" Just as they were started to turn, I laid my hand on Johnny's arm causing him to look back. I awkwardly laughed, "Please, it's just Valerie."