The Unforgotten Day

“THE UNFORGOTTEN DAY”

Friday, September 13, 1974 was a day that will forever be etched into my memory. Allow me to fill you in on the events leading up to this incredible story.

Adventure was appealing to both Brian (my husband) and me. Only a few months after we were married, we made the bold move from a mid-sized town in North Carolina to Los Angeles County in California. Brian was a truck driver and jobs were plentiful in California, so off we went to our new home. We had only been in the county for about a month, and were both enjoying the change in climate. We had a nice home, Brian had a great job, and we were very happy with our decision to move.

While driving around the county in an attempt to learn the local roads, I had noticed several fire stations not too far from where we lived. I collected fire and rescue memorabilia, and had mentioned to my husband that we could visit the stations and take them some treats. Knowing my interest in fire stations, he laughed and gave a nod of approval.

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On the morning of Friday the thirteenth, I could feel the warmth of the sun on my face, smell the fresh air after a gentle rain, and see all the greenery that surrounded me. So…this was what living in L.A. County was all about. As I was going to my car, the wail of sirens could be heard in the distance. I wondered if they were from one of the fire departments that I had driven past just a few days earlier. I opened the door to my blue Nova, and turned the key while making sure I had my map. With a very poor sense of direction, and a good map, I was on my way to a craft store that we had spotted. I really shouldn’t be doing this. I’ll get lost and either have to ask for directions somewhere, or try to get in touch with Brian and ask directions. In my mind’s eye, my biggest problem of the day was finding the store…little did I know what this day had in store for me.

Before pulling out of our driveway I had turned on the radio. That was an automatic action for me if I was driving alone. As I got onto the freeway I noticed that there was quite a bit of traffic that day, then I realized that I was in the noon rush. After going a few miles I found myself behind a tractor trailer. Upon realizing this, I smiled to myself, knowing that a few years ago I would have been very uncomfortable. Since marrying a truck driver I always felt safer behind a “big rig” when driving down the highway.

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“Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynard Skynrd was playing on the radio and I was singing along when suddenly a little red sports car zoomed past me. I can’t believe that guy; he had to be doing at least 100mph. My first instinct was to let off the accelerator, then I began to hold my breath as the car approached the eighteen wheeler. I could imagine the accident before it happened, and I didn’t want to be involved. The small car began to slide as it approached the truck. The guy was losing control due to excessive speed. I began to brake, and the squealing of tires was deafening around me. After the foreshadowing of what was to come, it happened…I heard the horrible crunch of metal. It seemed this noise went on for hours. I realized that several cars must be involved. I had closed my eyes as my car came to a stop, then when I opened them, the unbelievable had happened. I was entrapped in my car. I couldn’t move. Am I alive…okay, I’m alive and I’m gonna be okay. I must have been unconscious for a bit because I don’t remember the impact. Boy, I’m glad I can’t remember it…must have been hard. When I realized that I literally could not move my breathing became very fast. Since I have asthma, I had learned to control my breathing and began to slow it down. I decided to be brave and look around, or at least in front of me. Oh no, someone has to be dead. I know CPR and first aid. I need to get out of this car. I need to call the fire department…I can smell smoke…where is it coming from? I managed to look up into what remained of my rear view mirror and realized the smoke was very near the back of my car. I reasoned that it might not be coming from my car, but felt very uncomfortable. Where’s the fire department? There are enough of them around here….hmmmm…must be a busy day. Oh, dear God, please don’t let me burn alive in this car. My knees were embedded in the dash board. No wonder I was in pain. My head hurt too, and I felt dizzy. I needed to remember all this for the paramedics. I had to stay awake and alert. I hoped that everyone else was okay. There was no way of knowing how many cars were involved as I was up close and personal with the truck and couldn’t see beyond it.

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With eyes closed, attempting to relax, I heard a sound in the distance. In my lifetime I’d heard lots of beautiful music, but none could hold a candle to these…sirens. Help was on the way! I could hear the horns of several engines and sirens of squads. I strained to hear what I could, but I could only hear men talking, one on a handy talk, and lots of movement. Before I knew it, I could hear water near the back of my car. I looked into the remnant of my rear view mirror and saw a fireman with a hose, no there were two of them with two hoses. I wonder if I’m seeing double. There really wasn’t that much smoke. I could make out the numbers on their helmets and they were from Station 51. That’s one of the few that we drove by on our way home. There was a short man with a mustache, and a Latino man with a mustache. I also saw a tall man with a white stripe down his helmet. Wow, that must be the captain. I wanted to meet these guys and check out the trucks, but not like this. I managed to see the engineer at the beautiful truck which was parked beside what was left of my car. He was a tall man with light brown hair, and very busy. Just as I was getting a good look at the truck, I heard a voice.

“Ma’am, ma’am, can you hear me?”

I looked up and around and saw a young man with dark hair who had a very concerned look on his face.

“Hey! I can hear you, but I can’t move.” Oops, didn’t exactly word that one right, now the guy’s gonna think I’m paralyzed. “I mean, I can’t move because the car has me packed in really tight.”

The man smiled a crooked smile, and assured me that he understood. The look on his face wasn’t nearly as concerned after I spoke.

“Does anything hurt?”

“Yes, my knees are killing me. They’re wedged up under the dash, and I have a headache too.”

“Okay, just sit tight. By the way, I’m Johnny. You’re gonna be just fine. Hang in there and we’ll have ya’ out of here as quick as we can.”

“Okay, I understand if you need to help someone else. This was just horrible, and I’m sure there are folks hurt a lot worse than I am.”

“Everyone else has someone helping them, so if it’s okay with you, you’re stuck with me for a while.”

I smiled and assured him that it was okay. I heard him talking, but could tell that he wasn’t talking to me. Oh, he was on the thing they use to call the hospital. I know what that thing’s called….yes, a biophone. What a neat instrument to have. Gosh, I wish I could call Brian. Hopefully I can tell him before he hears about this accident on the news or over the CB radio.

“My partner and I will be talking to a doctor at Rampart General Hospital and we will likely be taking you there when we get ya’ out.”

I noticed a commotion on the driver’s side door and realized the first mustached man that I saw was attempting to get it opened. That made me happy because I just wanted to get out of the car and forget about this accident.

“Okay, hon, I’m sorry, what’s your name?”

“Johnny, my name is Wanda. Will it be long before you guys get me out?”

“Wanda, stay calm for me now. We can’t get the door opened, so we’re gonna have to use something else to get ya’ out. It’s gonna be loud, but I promise you can’t get hurt with it. We’re gonna take the roof off and get to ya’ from above. Sound like a plan?”

“So you’re gonna cut me out with the jaws of life?”

“Now where did ya’ hear about those?”

“Oh, television shows, and I’m sort of an admirer of fire departments.” I could tell that I was blushing. I just knew that some day my fascination with fire trucks and such would get me into trouble.

“Okay, nice to know you’re on our side. Yes, we’ll be using the jaws, but there’s nothing to be afraid of.”

“Just a lot of noise.” I thought there was someone other than Johnny near the car, but I couldn’t see him until he spoke.

“This is my partner, Roy.” I looked up to a kind face. A soft spoken, fair-haired man of few words, but just by looking into his blue eyes I could tell he was competent.

“Hi, Roy, I guess I’m the patient, and my name’s Wanda.”

“Nice to meet ya’, Wanda. Just hang in there, and we’ll have ya’ out before ya’ know it. I’m gonna cover you up with some blankets so no glass can get to ya’, okay?”

“Sure.”

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Roy was right as the noise was unforgiving on the ears. Just when I thought it had subsided, the noise would begin again. Then I realized that the guys would likely have to make two cuts, maybe four to get the top off the car. The sound of the jaws was beginning to bother me, so I began singing. I was sitting there in a very wrecked car with my eyes closed, surrounded by firemen who were working to free me, and I was singing. I thought about that being one to tell the grandchildren some day.

As soon as he was able to get to me, Johnny put a blood pressure cuff on my arm and began to take my vitals. The light-haired paramedic was talking to someone else. I couldn’t see him, but I could hear Roy, and I realized he must be talking to a doctor, because he was just repeating the vitals that Johnny was giving him. Blood pressure was 164/60, respirations were 30 and shallow, and pulse was 124. I knew my heart was racing, but supposed that would be normal, given the circumstances. Johnny began to look at my head.

“Do I have a cut?”

“Awww, it’s just a small gash…nothing for you to worry about. Does it hurt?”

“I have a headache, but didn’t realize the skin was broken.”

“You’re gonna’ be fine. We just need to get ya’ outta’ here so we can examine you a bit better, then get ya’ to the hospital.”

“When can I call my husband? If he hears about this on the radio or something, he’ll be worried sick.”

“You can do that when we get to Rampart. One of the nurses will give him a call for ya’. Now stop worrying about everything, and just relax. We’ll have ya’ outta’ here in no time. Does anything else hurt besides your head and knees?”

“Not that I can tell. I guess that’s a good sign, huh?” I remember smiling at the dark-haired man, knowing that he was attempting to keep me as calm as possible.

“Okay, Wanda, we’re gonna have to start an IV on ya’. It’ll sting just for a minute.”

“Ouch! I hate needles, Johnny, but you are a good sticker…if there is such an animal.”

We both laughed as the other firemen took the top off the car. It was at that time we all could see just how tightly my legs were wedged underneath the dash board.

“Any suggestions?” the man with the striped hat asked the others. I just knew he had to be the captain. Back home the captain always had a different helmet, and so did the captains on the television shows I’d watched.

“Well, we could try sliding the seat back and see if that would help.” The young Latino man with a mustache gave the man in charge an idea.

Before I knew what was happening to me, two firefighters (both of the mustached, dark-haired men) were working with my seat. I wasn’t in a panic, but did feel a bit confined, and would be very grateful to be out of the clutches of my car. The men were both gentle, yet firm with the seat. On the third try, the seat gave enough for the firemen to pry me out of the remnants of my car.

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“Roy, can ya’ grab her legs?” Johnny had his arms underneath mine as they moved me from the seat of my car to a gurney. All the firemen were very nice and seemed genuinely concerned. When this nightmare is over, I’m going to take some goodies by the station for these guys. After being placed on the gurney, Johnny checked my vitals again and examined my head while Roy relayed the information to Rampart. Then, I was wheeled into an ambulance. I gave a quick wave to Roy and the captain as they were gathering their supplies. Johnny rode in the ambulance with me to the hospital and I was very grateful to have a somewhat familiar face with me.

“How are ya’ doin’?”

“I’m okay, Johnny. Do you guys think anything is broken? My knees really hurt.”

“Well, we’re takin’ ya’ to Rampart now and the docs will know more after they do some x-rays, but we couldn’t feel anything broken. I guess the answer to your question is that we’ll just have to wait and see. You’ll be seeing some great docs, so no matter what’s goin’ on, they can handle it.”

“I’m certainly thankful for all you and the other guys did. I was in a very uncomfortable situation, not knowing anyone, and you guys made it bearable.”

“Just doin’ our jobs,” Johnny said with a crooked smile.

“All the guys were really nice. Will you thank them for me?”

“Sure, well, all but Chet. We wouldn’t want him to get a bigger head than he already has.” The young paramedic winked as he spoke of his fellow firefighter.

“Okay, which one was Chet?”

“Short, dark, curly hair, mustache, the guy that was a real pain.”

“I think I know which one you’re talking about.” Neither of us could speak due to laughter, and that was also welcomed by me. Before I realized it, we were at the hospital and I saw Roy as I entered a room with a dark- haired doctor and a pretty nurse that Johnny had introduced as Dixie. I love that name. I wonder if she’s from the south. As soon as she asked the doctor about the IV, I realized that she was not from the south. They all seemed both professional and nice. There was another man standing in the background and as I looked at his jacket, I assumed he was a doctor also.

“Well, we gotta’ run, Wanda. We’ll pop in and see ya’ later. Bye, Doc, Dixie, Doc.”

“Bye Johnny and Roy, and thanks so much for all you’ve done for me.” I was so happy to be surrounded by people who seemed to know what they were doing. The tall, dark-haired doctor told me that they wanted to get an x-ray of my knees and a CT of my head just to rule out anything that might be wrong. I thanked him and asked if there was some way for me to call my husband. Dixie was right by my side with pad and pen in hand, and promised to call Brian while I was having my tests.

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A portable x-ray machine was brought into the room to take some pictures of my knees. The technicians were all nice, but some were rougher than others. I yelled “ouch” a couple of times with my knee. I really thought something was broken because of the degree of pain I was feeling.

After the x-ray, I was wheeled out on the gurney to the CT machine, and they took pictures of my head. I hadn’t thought to ask anyone, so I asked the technician if he thought I’d need stitches. I was assured that stitches were unlikely. I’m not a vain person, but did breathe a sigh of relief with that news. All I could think of at the time was some sort of Frankenstein scar on my forehead.

Soon after I got back to my room, the doctor came in with the news from the tests. I was going to need surgery on my right knee according to Dr. Early, who reminded me of a fatherly- type man. I asked if it could wait until my husband got to the hospital, and he agreed that we would go to the operating room first thing the next morning.

Brian arrived at the hospital not too long after I got the news. We were both worried, not knowing the reputation of the doctor, but I assured my husband that everyone seemed very professional. We were talking when a soft knock came on the door. Soon, in peeped Johnny and Roy. I was thrilled that they had kept their word about visiting, and that Brian would get to meet them. I told them about the surgery, and Johnny said that I’d be up and about in no time. Brian expressed his appreciation to the paramedics, and asked where he could find the car once the surgery was all over.

“I’m not sure you’re gonna’ want to see it.” Roy was absolutely right. There just wasn’t much left.

“That bad, huh?” Brian inquired of the men.

“Well, the accident did a number on it, and the jaws pretty much did in the rest of it.” Johnny had a blunt, but funny way of putting things in perspective.

“As long as I have Wanda, we can get another car. I was just wondering, but you guys answered my question.”

As they left the room we both offered our thanks and I told Brian that I planned on baking some goodies for the guys at the station when I was back on my feet again. He reminded me to make sure I was up to the task before trying anything. I had always been known for jumping the gun when it came to giving myself time to heal.

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Waking up from surgery wasn’t easy. I could barely remember going to sleep. The pain was moderate, but Dr. Early controlled it well. I didn’t remember much the first twenty-four hours, but Brian told me that both Johnny and Roy had dropped by again to check on me. I was amazed that these guys actually cared that much. I was sure that they were the same with all their patients.

After four days I went home, and before I knew it I was well enough to bake again. I had picked a day that Brian and I both could go to Station 51 and give them some cake, brownies, cookies, and a few other goodies that I had prepared.

When we arrived, there was no one at the station. Both the squad and the engine were gone. I had called ahead to the dispatcher to make sure the guys that we wanted to reward were working. Luckily, the side door was open. We went into the kitchen and made ourselves at home. We put all the food out on the table, and waited for the guys to get back to the station. While waiting, we attempted to guess where the crew of Station 51 could be, and what they could be doing. I guessed that they were at a horrible fire and Brian guessed that they were at an automobile accident. I told him that would be an MVA. We were so excited about returning the favor, even though our efforts were nothing compared to what they did for the community every day. We also wondered just how many people took the time to just say thank you to the firemen, and police who helped them in time of need.

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We heard the vehicles backing into the bay, and we remained very quiet. Brian had parked out back so the guys would not see any vehicle. We wanted not only to treat them, but also to surprise them. We were very quiet as the first of the firemen came in. Mike, the engineer was first, followed by Chet and Marco, then Captain Stanley. Last, but not least, Johnny and Roy came into the kitchen. They were all surprised as their mouths dropped open. Brian and I were delighted. I introduced my husband to all the crew, and he gave each of them his appreciation. We told the guys that we would leave and allow them to enjoy their feast, but they asked us to stay and eat with them. We stayed, then Mike gave us a tour of the engine and Roy gave us a squad tour. I had such a great time seeing the equipment that helped free me and save me. I also had my camera, and managed to take lots of photos. As we were leaving, the crew told us not to be strangers. I knew we would visit them again with more goodies. How could we forget the men that saved me on that unforgettable day?

There are only two original characters in this story: Brian & Wanda. The rest belong to the 1970’s television series Emergency! I would like to dedicate this story to everyone who has that unforgotten day when their local heroes helped them, and to the men who help folks every day. A special thanks to Audrey for the beta!

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