To the Editor:
Recently as I was entering Sam’s Club, a gentleman tripped and hit his head and started to bleed on the floor. I immediately picked up my phone and dialed 911. They transferred me to the ambulance division. When the lady answered, I said a gentleman just fell in the entryway of Sam’s Club in Lady Lake, hit his head and he is bleeding all over the floor. I gave her my name and my phone number. She said what is the address. I said I don’t know it is Sam’s Club in Lady Lake it’s the only one here. She then asked what is the cross street I said, “Hell, I don’t know, it’s next to Home Depot. She then asked how old is the person. I said he is an old guy she said just how old is he I said I don’t know 75, 65, 105 what difference does it make he’s bleeding all over the floor. She then asked how tall is he. I said 5’11” and 1/16. I then said these are a bunch of stupid questions just send somebody to help this gentleman and I hung up. She then called me back and says I have more questions first question is he alert I said he appears to be. She then asked what is he doing now I said he setting up she asked where I said in the doorway where he fell. Now here is her Bill Clinton definition of a what is question. How severely is he bleeding I said give me your definition of severely and I hung up.
The 911 lady must live under a rock by not understanding it is Sam’s Club in Lady Lake. I can’t believe any EMS driver in the area would not know where that is. I can understand the question if it is in the middle of nowhere or some business which many people may or may not know. It would even be appropriate if I said McDonald’s and they will say which one because there are several in the area. The stupidity of asking exactly how old is he and how tall is he is asinine. I’m surprised she didn’t ask is he LGBT, which bathroom does he use.
I pride myself on trying to be a Good Samaritan. Most of the time it works out well and is gratifying that I am able to help someone. In this case I am still glad I am was able to help someone but the stupidity of the EMS operators questions is appalling.
Bart Zoellner
Harmeswood of Belle Aire
