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Excessive? — Why Now?
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Excessive?

So, I was out and about yesterday delivering this and that to various people and on a major street I noticed the approach of a Fire Rescue vehicle from the opposite direction with the gumballs flashing and siren singing. Even though there was no one obstructing the lane I pulled to the right and slowed down to give up the maximum amount of space and watched for any sudden turns onto side streets.

OK, I like Christmas as much as the next guy, but I want to know who thought it was a good idea to program the air horns on the Fire vehicle to play Jingle Bells? Seriously, if you’re trapped in your vehicle because a guy in a Hummer was talking on his cell phone and didn’t notice the Stop sign or the fact that you had stopped, would you really be thrilled to have the serious professionals who were supposed to be saving your life rolling up to the scene sounding like they just came from an office party?

3 comments

1 Steve Bates { 12.24.07 at 1:28 am }

“… because a guy in a Hummer was talking on his cell phone and didn’t notice the Stop sign or the fact that you had stopped, …” – Bryan

That’s almost exactly what happened to Stella, except that instead of a Hummer it was a Ford Explosion (or some similar name for an immense vehicle).

If I were approached by EMTs from a vehicle emitting such sounds, no matter how dire my medical condition, I might well wave them on by as I would a bus that was too crowded. Some things offend the musical sensibilities!

2 andante { 12.24.07 at 6:05 am }

I suppose it could be worse, but it’s hard to imagine how.

Maybe like my friend giving a tribute at the funeral while her cell phone kept playing Tequila, I guess.

Had I heard the EMT’s Jingle Bells approaching, I would probably assume it was an ice cream truck.

3 Bryan { 12.24.07 at 9:33 am }

That, Steve, is becoming a cliché, down here, especially with drivers of SUVs.

No one expected Monty Python in the Fort Walton Beach Fire Department.

I’m reminded, Andante, of this poor woman in a store who’s children had obviously downloaded the ring tone to her cell phone. It was a rap song of some kind that was obviously “naughty” as the teens near her would break into fits of laughter when it rang, while she tried to shut it off.