EMS: Courage and Compassion in Action: The Year Santa Wore Blue

By Shawn Godfrey - December 17, 2007

Shawn Godfrey

'Twas the night before Christmas and in Williamstown
Ambulances sat quietly — all sirens shut down;
Dispatchers and medics within station walls
All bundled up cozy without any calls.

We just finished washing and waxing the rig
And hanging a wreath made of mistletoe fig.
But no sooner resting on the couch when we heard
"Hurry ... Code 1, a crash just occurred!"

The call had come in — the first for the day.
The dispatcher said "someone hit Santa's sleigh!"
"Neck pain," we thought, as we gathered our gear,
"Or maybe a drunk — it's that time of year."

As we sped to the scene with our sirens and lights,
We hoped for the best, why tonight of all nights?
We had no idea, but we were in for a surprise;
While approaching the crash, we couldn't believe our own eyes.

I said to my partner, "this must be a trick!
That man on the ground looks just like St. Nick!"
A crumpled-up sleigh, toys spread far and near
And off to the side was a herd of reindeer!

The man in the car, with a bump on his head
Was sobbing and told us he'd rather be dead.
"Oh why did I guzzle that one extra beer?
Now I"ve killed Santa – so no Christmas this year!"

My partner and I deemed this call as too strange
So we called for backup, but they were way out of range.
"No one can hear us," to my partner I said,
"I'll bandage up this one while you gauze that one's head."

The man in the sleigh I approached with great care -
The way he was dressed wasn't something I'd wear.
He wore a red suit and a weird kind of hat,
I thought to myself, "who dresses like that?"

Then he opened his eyes and said "do not fear.
Just please help me up – I must save my reindeer."
"The reindeer are fine so just stay where you are
That cut on your nose, it could leave a big scar."

I did not want to leave him, so I let out a holler,
"We need the backboard, head blocks and a collar!"
As I worked, the man yelled "No, don't strap me down
I have to bring toys to the kids in this town!"

"The children tonight are depending on me
To deliver the presents that go under their tree."
I told him, "I'm sorry, you are too hurt to go,
You banged up your head and you fractured your toe."

He whispered to me with his voice full of fear
"Then you must bring the gifts to the children this year!"
"Sir, you must think that our ambulance can soar,"
I said with a chuckle as he started to roar:

"Now Dasher, now Dancer, now Prancer and Vixen
Come Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen!
Hitch onto that truck and take to the sky
For tonight you will see the first ambulance fly!"

I just shook my head as we loaded him in
Then climbed in the cab as I started to grin.

The reindeer just sat all lined in a row
In front of the truck as if ready to go.
I was hoping they'd move with the siren's first sound
But then they took off and we were up off the ground!

Just under the clouds and up over the trees
Sailing along just as light as a breeze,
We landed on rooftops dispersing the toys
Dropping off gifts to the good girls and good boys.

We made a quick stop at the hospital's bay
And wheeled Santa in, rather hoping he'd stay.
"We'll call in report later!" then we took to the sky
"We are delivering presents!" as we waved our goodbye.

We continued to work through the starry-filled night
Delivering toys until morning's first light
With our station in view, we headed toward land
My partner and I were just happy to stand.

Dispatch was angry and the more we explained
The less they believed us and the more they looked feigned.
So we sat in our station and as meek as two mice
We turned on the news, but we had to look twice!

As the media talked with some people in town
It was obvious to them something strange had gone down.
Tire tracks were found on a rooftop or two
And the children were yelling "this year Santa wore blue!"