The End of Summer as Halloween and Bonfire Night Approach
Just a quick thought. While making a cup of tea and looking through my shift pattern in my diary I’ve noticed that I’m working a night shift tomorrow Saturday the 24th October, 2009 and that British Summer Time ends on Sunday 25th October, 2009 at 02:00.
I’ve never been in this situation before so I’m asking the more experienced amongst you what happens? Do I get to finish on BST time or do I carry on working for an extra hour to make a 13 hour shift? I’m really not sure. I expect the person I’m working with will know but I just thought I’d ask.
While I’m rambling about time and dates I might as well ask what it’s like working Halloween? This time of the year must be the busiest for all the emergency services. Particularly in Cities where there are large numbers of adolescents roaming the streets setting off fireworks and inevitably injuring themselves or others.
The same goes with Bonfire night but I can imagine the potential for injury span the ages. From the child with a burnt hand from a sparkler to the dad that poured petrol onto the fire from a ladder thus scorching himself. A simple search on Youtube throws up hundreds of videos of some of the things we can expect.
For example
I’ve just read this article about the calls to emergencies in Dublin.
Emergency services in Dublin were stretched to their limits last Halloween, with Dublin Fire Service called out to 800 incidents and the ambulance service receiving about 500 calls.
The cost of this was approximately €1 million with the vast majority of incidents being avoidable. How will the Ambulance service cope this winter with services at REAP 4, the second peak of Swine Flu and the usual shenanigans that lead to call outs during this season?
If you have any notable experiences then please feel free to share by commenting below.
One last point. Next month has a Friday the 13th.
I’m also working that night, only I’m working across the change. I’m somewhat confused as to what to write on my PRF when I inevitably pick up a patient at 0230 and clear hospital at 0210.
See, the logical thing to do would have been to say “between date x and date y, the normal working day will be 1000-1800, and between date y and date x, it is 0900-1700″.
Which idiot came up with that?!
Hi On The Road,
Didn’t think of the PRF situation and I didn’t get to see how it panned out because I didn’t work the night shift. I had misread my diary. I worked the day instead. When the night crew came in they were peeved to say the least. They hate overtime and hate it even more when it’s normal pay rate!
Did you get the inevitable 0210 job?
No we didn’t! We’re in the first week of doing A&E Support for the NHS, so there’s still some confusion as to what hours we’re doing! We were due to finish at 0200, so when control had nothing for us at 0150 they let us leave at the first 0200!
Give it Diesel
You have a nice control!!!
Our control has made people stay on for the extra hour if they finish at 02:00 – swines!!
I always seem to work the 13 hour shift, why do I never get the 11 hour one….. :0(
Good post, and I like your blog. I worked bonfire night and I have to say it was pretty boring. Nothing too out of the ordinary. Ah I’ve just noticed my blog in your blog roll – thankyou very much! Will reciprocate the favour
Hi Lumo, thanks for the comment.
Halloween was horrendous this year, by far the busiest night. I don’t think New Year’s will come close either.
Congratulations on the change of career. The Ambulance service is in a transitional state but there are some great opportunities opening up.
Regards.