January 1999 bee buuu, bee buuu...Rescuers in calamitiesAmbulance men who slog their way through their work are the unsung heroes of society. They are neither showmen nor promoters who live on publicity. As stated in their performance pledges, ambulance men are required to reach the scene within 12 minutes after receiving an emergency ambulance call. Although they are usually the ones who first arrive at the scene and provide medical treatment to the patients when an accident crops up, what they accomplish does not seem to reward them with much recognition. "My friends once asked me which hospital I was working for," said Mr. Leung Ping Yan, an ambulance man working at the ambulance depot in Tsim Sha Shui East. "They didn't know we are under the Fire Services Department." Also, ambulance men do not always work in a car. There are 13 ambulance-aid motorcycles in Hong Kong. "They take action when the exact location is not known or the scene is too remote," said Mr. David Pang Kai Chiu, the Senior Ambulance Officer in the Depot. These motorcycles, equipped with all the necessary first-aid devices, can reach the locations within a relatively short period of time despite heavy traffic.
Like other disciplinary teams, would-be ambulance men have to receive an all-round training in six months, including discipline, physical training and ambulance aid. "Having good discipline helps us stay focused under bad conditions," said Mr. Leung. "I can't make a right decision if my concentration is blown to pieces." "Physical fitness is also necessary because we have to carry patients from time to time," he added. Ambulance-aid training, which is different from first-aid training, teaches them how and when to use different complicated devices, like a fracture immobilizer or a stretcher. Although there are all kinds of training available for them to cope with their routine work, experience can only be gained bit by bit through the passage of time. "Experienced ambulance men know what the right action is," said Mr. Chan Kwok Shing, another member of the crew who has been an ambulance man for 15 years. "They can gauge how the accident happened." Ambulance-aid work is sometimes considered an undesirable career as the duty includes dealing with dead bodies or patients who are badly wounded. No matter how well-prepared one is, it is not easy to overcome the fear in the beginning. Mr. Wong Chi Keung, a senior ambulance men, recalled a metaphor that was told by his senior. "When you see a lion, you will be afraid. However, if the lion is dead, you won't be afraid any more. And now, you are afraid of a man just because he is dead," said Mr. Wong who has 26 years of experience. It is not a matter of seeing human beings as a kind of animal. However, whether or not you are afraid of the dead body is merely a matter of perception. Said Mr. Leung: "The man is dead, but you have to remember that he was once alive. So, you have to give him the basic respect he deserves as a human." "Seeing is overcoming," said Mr. Chan. "It is something that we have to go through." "The first thing you have to ask yourself before applying for this job is if you are afraid of ugly and bloody stuff," added Mr. Chan. Some would-be ambulance men quit because they cannot overcome the fear. Occasionally, ambulance men encounter disastrous accidents which give them unforgettable experiences. When the Garley Building was on fire in 1996, these three ambulance men were all at the scene. They were one of the very first rescuers there. They worked from four o'clock in the afternoon till ten o'clock at night. Recalled Mr. Chan: "The helicopter just arrived when I reached there. Dust and smoke filled the sky. It was a living inferno. The scene was horrible." They had an extremely busy day because there were too many patients.
"The happiest thing is that I can help mothers deliver their babies," said Mr. Wong. "Nothing is more exhilarating than witnessing the birth of a new life." "Happiness can come from the slightest things," said Mr. Chan. "If I can help the sick, the weak or the elderly, I feel happy." Said Mr. Wong: "But I also saw so many elderly who were abandoned by their sons and daughters. They are so lonely in their twilight years." Satisfaction is always allied to a committed attitude towards one's work. A small token of patients' gratitudes would be greatly appreciated. "We seldom have contact with patients after they are admitted to the hospital," said Mr. Chan. "We get to know their conditions only through the newspapers." "Sometimes we receive letters from patients expressing their gratitude," he added. Being an ambulance man may earn them bread, but the career prospect does not sound promising compared with other occupations. "Don't paint too rosy a picture," said Mr. Chan. "If you think you can enjoy a stable income without much work, don't apply for this job." Added Mr. Leung: "Promotion is not easy. You may have to stay here for maybe more than 20 years to become a senior ambulance man." Enthusiasm is needed if one desires to be an ambulance man for his whole life. Bogus calls are rare. Yet, the ambulance men are sometimes called when a patient has a small cut or a temperature. "It is our job to provide services to the public," said Mr. Chan. "We will not judge if they are abusing the service. Society will judge." Also, working in shifts means that they have to work on public holidays. "Having a day-off is not easy for me. So, my family will find a time when I am off duty for reunion," said Mr. Wong. Such a small sacrifice means nothing to them. After all, it is more blessed to give than to receive.
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"When an ambulance man drives the motorcycle to the scene, he can
decide the number of reinforcing ambulances needed according to the seriousness of the
accident," added Mr. Pang. 
Having worked as ambulance men for so many years, they have enjoyed
sweetness and also borne pains.