You know I mostly thought I was unscathed (Graphic)

[nadinbrzezinski]

I mean, yes I jump at fireworks... I hate fireworks...I don't think too many vets that have been in a firefight... (whether in a war, or just medics in the wrong place at the right time) like fireworks.

But the other day we had a small gas explosion at San bruno near san fran.

Here are some photos





And here are some from my first big call



http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yYIiH86GtT0/SwXugYEVy2I/AAAAAAAAAFg/XRZk7_iFOls/s1600/San+Juanico15.jpg

What came immediately to me the other day while watching the news from San Fran was the smell of burned flesh. It is a smell you never quite forget. I wasn't at that scene THE DAY, since I was late to the party and got to direct traffic... but was there four days later... doing body recovery. It was so large that... we were used.

Yes, I should have turned the video feed off... I KNOW BETTER... but I did not.

Sleep was an interesting proposition for two days. And chiefly the feeling of I WANT TO BE THERE... doing my job... even though I have not done that for over ten years... and I am all but in shape to do that any longer.

I know that if I post this in GD most folks there will not get it. But there are things that can bring us back to crap and tragedy like this.

Oh and yes, today I forced myself to cook some meat. I have found over the years that when those feelings come back I need to "get back to normal" ASAP.

Isn't that a hell of way to deal with it?

To the dead at both places... RIP... you are victims of infrastructure failures. Suffice it to say that after that mess, we enacted new triage procedures... so we were able to save more people... that is one of the two reasons that directly led to the implementation of the Incident Command System, so at least those people didn't die for nothing.

Incidentally I do know how a warzone looks like... and how it can smell too... after all disasters like that one... do smell and taste like it. There is only one missing element... and I really did not want to face that missing element, which I got years later at the shoot outs. That acrid smell of gun powder. But the sweet smell of burning flesh... is not one I recommend. Even less the smell of burned flesh that is starting to rot.

Thanks, I know you guys will get it.

[Rick Myers]

1. You were there???

Thank you for your service... That was a MAJOR disaster... Hope you are well...

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Two months out of training

yep, that was my first major call.

As I said, I did not get to go the first day... I got to direct traffic at HQ, and commandeer a PRI buss as an ambulance... pole stretchers... trust me, driver was NOT happy.

:-)

But got to do body recovery four days later. And most of the time I am fine.


I think talking helps.

[Hekate]

3. Thanks for all you did, and for the information you provide. Sleep well tonight.

:hug:

[nadinbrzezinski]

I'll have to cut down on the coffee in the afternoons

It will be ok... it will just a week or two.

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. I'll have to cut down on the coffee in the afternoons

It will be ok... it will just a week or two.