Note: I tried to write this without it coming across as a slam against Detroit, it’s fire and EMS and Eric Liddy. I do not intend it that way, I promise. This is just my observation of EMS in an urban warzone – namely Detroit – as an outsider looking in.

Several years ago, I visited Detriot.  I lived not far from there at the time; my dad went to visit me and we went to see the Tigers and Red Sox play. Maybe we didn’t see the “good parts” of the city but the entire time we felt like our lives were in danger just from walking down the street. The streets were dirty, the people seemed rude and most of the areas we saw resembled war scenes from the news. I went into a fast food restaurant and I’ll never forget my feelings when I saw an armed guard in the corner and plexiglass at the counter where they would give you your food through a drawer like at a bank.

I could never live there.

Eric Liddy Sr. is the author of The E.R. Loading Dock in which is tells the stories of EMTs and paramedics from all over the world. Many of the stories are his own. Eric is a paramedic in Detroit, which in my opinion is one of the least EMS friendly cities in America. It’s also one of the most dangerous cities in America year after year. To further illustrate that point, here’s what Eric posted on his book’s Facebook page yesterday:

Night 2 of 4. 14 were killed on the roads in and around Detroit in auto accidents, an on duty DPD officer run down by a drunk driver while assisting another accident victim and 2 bodies found across the street from Medic 13′s quarters…bound, shot in the head multiple times and their pockets turned inside out. (Male and female.)

That is just one night.

Personally I don’t see how anyone could work in such a place where the entire city seems to constantly be in a state of anarchy and where the police are powerless to stop it. Detroit’s government – if you can call it that – would probably be better off calling in the National Guard to maintain law and order in such a place. Eric probably sums it up perfect after many people told him he was nuts when he said “Detroit has its own brand of insanity and I like it that way.” I’m glad he and others who work for Detroit Fire and EMS feel that way and I’m sure the citizens appreciate them too.

I would have quit after my first day.

While I realize that even dangerous cities need – and deserve – quality healthcare, it’s just not for me. I’m not in the military and thus I have no desire to work in a war zone. I shouldn’t have to wear Kevlar just to go pick up a lady who’s been throwing up all day and I also shouldn’t have to worry about whether my ambulance will still be in one piece when I get back – assuming it’s even still there.

This is EMS, not combat.

Having said all of that…

I salute Mr. Liddy and the others like him who are dedicated to their cities even though they’re essentially homeland war zones. I greatly respect anyone who can take all of this violence and despair and still practice the art of paramedicine. I just couldn’t do it but I’m glad there are those who can. I pray for the safety of all my brothers and sisters in Detroit and cities like it where they never know if they’ll be shot while on a sick person call or stabbed while working yet another assault on the street.

May God bless you all.