999

My Life on the Frontline of the Ambulance Service

By: Dan Farnworth

Narrated by: Mark Hadfield

Length: 6 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's Summary

Dan Farnworth brings vividly to life his astonishing experiences as a medic working on the frontline of the UK Ambulance Service. When the 999 call goes out, he has little idea what he will find - and how he will cope with the challenges he faces when he gets there. 

Having worked in the emergency services for more than 15 years, Dan Farnworth has seen it all. There was the time he was called to take away a dead body - only for the 'corpse' to jolt back into life and demand to know what he was doing in her house. Earlier in his career, he unwittingly disturbed a crime scene as he shared the sad news of the victim's death with her son. Along with the 18,000 other paramedics in the UK who serve us day and night, Dan constantly finds himself pushed into extraordinary circumstances where he has to deal with not only those he has been sent to help but also their worried families and friends - and even with irate drivers who object to his ambulance getting in their way as he desperately works to save someone's life.

There is a special camaraderie among paramedics, and 999 - Life on the Frontline is packed with stories that are sometimes sad, occasionally hilarious, often moving but always inspirational. However, the work also takes its emotional toll, and Dan won an ITV NHS Heroes Award after setting up the Our Blue Light Campaign that helps those in his profession suffering from PTSD - something that struck him after a truly shocking event. His story will make you see our ambulance service in a completely new way.

©2020 Dan Farnworth (P)2020 Simon & Schuster UK

ANGELS OF THE NIGHT.

First of all, I'm happy to recommend this audiobook; and I have needed their skills myself more than once.

I think the best way I can review this, and the wonderful work they do, is to add my latest poem,
ANGELS OF THE NIGHT.
It's well gone 10.30, with the pubs in full swing;
our 'Paramed Angels', wonder what the shift will bring.
The calls are so many, the place has gone wild;
with blood from a stab woumd; or a mew-born child.

Like a cry in the night, the siren calls;
responding to pleas, as the life sign falls.
"Keep clear, and make way
our Parameds are on the way".

With their blues and twos, amd dressed all in green;
their race to save lives, is so often seen.
Battling through traffic, they move beween lanes;
their race to the patient, who's wrapped up in pain.

Through back streets or motorway, the mercy dash goes on;
with a Police car for escort, we view the commotion.
The drunks and the phone geeks, they get in the way;
just move to the left there, it might be for you some dsy.

With the race nearly over, and the hospital in sight
let's say a well done, for our 'Angels of the Night'.
BY JACK D. HARRISON.
31-JANUARY-2023.

My only question, refers to the valuable time they lose, when having to await Police escort. What kind of sick individuals attack these or other blue-light service responding to emergency call-outs?
Jack.

wow

it makes for incredibly hard listening, and not just the medical situations that they face.

highly recommended. we as a society have to look after these people!

Honest but with hope

A honest portrayal of the struggling NHS workers that work tirelessly to provide care for the public - a story of resilience trying to put a positive spin on an underfunded service thats on its knees

A tough career

Really interesting and at times sad and shocking. I’m old school and have always respected the people who work in every part of the NHS, it’s shocking that some people don’t. Thank you for the sacrifices you make in your personal life and the commitment you give to your professional life.

Inspirational & Real

I’m starting my studies in Paramedic Science and want a real, truthful story about what it’s really like being a paramedic in todays society. This gave me exactly what I wanted!

Although hearing the painful and seriously sad stories involved in this book, I’m still open to the idea of becoming a paramedic.

This book is absolutely brilliant! Emotional, honest and well wrote. I thoroughly have enjoyed listening to this heartfelt book. Would recommend 1000%, even if you’re just interested to learn more.

My love to Dan & all the paramedics for their hard work 🤍

Eye Opening

As someone who doesn’t work on the frontline - this was a real eye opener and a book I 100% recommend you listening/reading. It may just change your view or stop you writing that idiotic note telling an ambulance to move from being parked outside your house!

A gripping read

This was an exceptional read. As I'm starting out as a paramedic student I wanted something real. This is as real as it gets. It's gripping and emotional.
Give it a listen! you won't be disappointed

Not an enjoyable listen

If it was written with empathy, then this is not reflected in the narration. It's read with intolerable glottal stops and many moments of biting, venomous intonation. The author has certainly many relevant experiences to recount, but for me, the text is adversely affected by the narrator.

great book great read

truly amazing book to listen to especially as I am in the start of my ambulance service career

Our 999 people are amazing.

Having been a wearer of the blue uniform for many years and many interactions with our oppos wearing the green one, this book wasn't going to be a huge surprise to me....... or so I thought, it was.

You guys are AMAZING