A Day in the Life of An Ambulance Driver

[Note - if a copy appears on Jerripedia, it was my transcription stolen from here without credit]

A Day in the Life of An Ambulance Driver
By Lou Chalkley
Jersey Topic, 1966

In 1965 the States of Jersey Ambulance Service conveyed 9,275 patients. The nature of the cases included special treatments, X-ray, maternity and accident patients. August was the month with the highest accident figures. Car crashes, accidents involving motor cycles or motor scooters, pedal cycles totalled 306. Other  topical classifications included treatment for injuries in the home or at work, in the street or on the beaches. In addition 1,043 journeys were made by members of the Voluntary Hospital Car Service in transporting patients to the General Hospital and returning them home after treatments. Transport was arranged with Ambulance Services in England on 23 occasions, and 35 escorts were provided from the St. John Ambulance Brigade's Male and Nursing Divisions.

What kind of men operate this essential service on the island ? Calming the nervous. treating the injured, dealing with the mentally ill—these are but a few of the problems which face an ambulance man each day. Very often a life is at stake. Qualifications must therefore include a calm temperament, proficiency in first-aid and the capability of handling any situation from an air crash to the delivery of a baby. Jersey Ambulance Service Men must be first-class drivers and have a better knowledge of the highways and by-ways than a local taxi-driver. Above all they must be dedicated to their chosen profession.


Lou Chalkley and Philip Attenet are two such young men who work as a team. For them an early-shift day starts at 6.45 a.m. Upon arrival at the Midvale Road Ambulance Station their first duty is to complete an intensive check of their vehicle. The States now own four large Morris Ambulances and one hospital car. Lou and Phil are responsible for the maintenance of their general-purpose ambulance - code name A3. It is fibreglass (thus facilitating easy cleaning) and of the very latest design. The all-round vision windows provide an important safety factor.

The men carefully check the standard equipment which includes a Neal-Robertson stretcher, a conventional spare stretcher and collapsible carrying chair. There are ropes for cliff rescue work, wellington boots and safety helmets for other emergencies. Each vehicle is also required to carry an ample supply of blankets and pillows, with sterile sheets large enough to cover a person in the event of burns. The spinal fracture board is also on the regulation list. All States Ambulances now carry Redisplint—a quick, simple and efiective first-aid splint and pressure bandage. This Parke-Davis innovation promptly immobilises fractures. and helps to control swellings or venous bleeding in cut or crush injuries. This double-walled transparent plastic tube permits constant visual observation and X-ray examination while the limb remains protected. The first-aid box and British Oxygen ‘Minute Man' must be within easy reach of the driver or attendant.

The Station's Radio Room is the nucleus of the entire service. Direct 999 and hospital calls are received and transmitted by land-line. The contact between base and each vehicle is maintained by remote control via the States Telecommunications at St. Mary’s. There are four radio switches on the flashing blue beacon light and accelerates the vehicle along Victoria Avenue. Density of traffic drowns the warning bell and it is hoped that sirens will soon be installed.

There has been a collapse case at Quennevais School. Phil prepares a Brooks respirator—this is an easy-to-carry mouth-to-mouth device, which acts as a speedy substitute for the ‘Minute Man.‘ As it happened artificial respirators were not needed on this occasion. The patient was a young boy conscious upon arrival and was able to walk with Phil's aid. Next stop the casualty department of the General Hospital. From here further instructions to proceed first to Rouge Bouillon and then St. Peters.

At 1.30 p.m. the ambulance is driven back to the station. There is at last time for a welcome cup of tea. The shift technically ends at 1.45 p.m. but anything can happen—and the drivers are often required to work overtime at a moments notice. In major disasters standbys are called in. “Every single job is so different all require a sense of purpose. many a sense of humour" said Lou "It is always rewarding."

There is close co-operation between this service and those of the Fire Service and Police. The ambulance conveyance and possible first-aid service costs the patient nothing. Many people hesitate before dialling for the ambulance—often a life could be saved if only people were more expedient.

Prospects of promotion are reasonable—and, during the summer months the men can clock up overtime to their £14.00 weekly basic.

Lou and Phil are great friends both on and off the job and devote much of their spare time to voluntary ambulance work. Such friendships are vital in a job which is more than just a day of work.