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-Lurid Crime Tales-
New York Saves Lives with Ambulance-Dozers (WWN)
2007-05-31
From the most respected name in major media :
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Traffic jams threaten lives in America's most populous cities, according to ambulance driver Roald McCorman. "People want to get out of our way, but sometimes there's just no room. Sadly, my crews have lost more than one patient as a result."

But a bold new plan from New York's emergency medical services will eliminate congestion-related deaths completely. "New regulations allow us to retrofit our ambulances with bulldozer blades to clear cars from our path," McCorman explained.
Oh-h-h-h-h-h, I want one for my morning commute!
Some emergency vehicles will also be equipped with railroad-style cowcatchers and spiked hubcaps for eliminating all obstacles, including pedestrians and dogs. But the bulldozer blade should prove most useful, especially during harsh winters in the city, or upstate.
(I'm sure our EMT contingent will approve)
"The ability to shovel snow on-the-go means less dependence on scarce helicopter resources for reaching remote patients," McCorman said. "We'll also be able to gather larger numbers of patients in the scoop, or penetrate rubble, after construction accidents and natural disasters," he added.

McCorman also looks forward to smashing through intact walls to reach the injured. "We're going to see a lot more people saved, now that we can break more than the speed limit," he said.
My favorite WWN story of all time was from 1985 or thereabouts. It alleged that a UFO with a Confederate flag on the bottom had buzzed a bullfight in Mexico and played Dixie as it zoomed past. I thought there were at least 10 or 12 good conspiracy books in this.
Gettysberg and Area 51: a Century of Deceit
General Lee and the REAL Confederate Greys
Lincoln: The First Man in Black?
Posted by:Atomic Conspiracy

#9  #2 Zen - that picture can't be authentic.

Most firefighters I know would have made sure the hydrant was leaking (enough to spray into the broken window of the asshole's car).

I certainly would have when I was a firefighter, and one of our members saw exactly that in D.C. when he used to work there. (And, to add insult to injury, a cop was busy giving said asshole a ticket.) :-D
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut   2007-05-31 22:25  

#8  #6 Where's Rachel Corrie when you need her?

usually underneath
Posted by: Frank G   2007-05-31 21:03  

#7  The problem I run in to is that most drivers are going faster than I can, safely, in an ambulance. I've had drivers race me, cut me off, and one memorable time come to a screeching halt 70 to 0 directly in front of me.

I've missed more than one exit by drivers refusing to yield and last week my driver had to go well out of the way while we battled a violent patient in the back. Guy on the right wouldn't yield.
Posted by: Chuck Simmins   2007-05-31 20:14  

#6  Where's Rachel Corrie when you need her?
Posted by: Jackal   2007-05-31 19:37  

#5  i think a cowcatcher would be more effective, in that you would need less 'ramming speed' in order to clear a path and the 'clear-ee' would be pushed off to the side and not become added drag.
the hosed beemer is one that is in my screen sver rotation and i have sent it to all the pretentious beemer owners i can think of.
Q: how can you tell the difference between aporcupine and a BMW?
A: a porcupine hass the pricks on the outside......
Posted by: USN. Ret.   2007-05-31 15:45  

#4  The driver of one NYC ambulance used to carry a baseball bat. He used it on the windshields of cars that blocked his way.
Posted by: Eric Jablow   2007-05-31 07:08  

#3  funny,
I want one too...cain't decide tho 'tween cow catcher or CAT Blade. ;-)
Posted by: RD   2007-05-31 04:21  

#2  Hey, after watching drivers refuse to clear the way for emergency response vehicles, laser cannons would meet with my approval. I've always been taught to assume that responders are on the way to rescue your mother, spouse or children from a burning building. I refer you to one of my favorite images regarding this subject:

Posted by: Zenster   2007-05-31 04:01  

#1  Uh oh, then NYT has some competition now!
Posted by: gorb   2007-05-31 03:39  

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