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At DadDrinks.com, we know every pour tells a story. Today’s story pairs perfectly with a Manhattan cocktail and takes you back to my days as a paramedic trainee in New York City during the 1990s.
The Classic Manhattan
First, let’s revisit this timeless cocktail. The Manhattan has been a favorite for over a century. Its simple ingredients make it a go-to for whiskey lovers. To make a perfect Manhattan, combine:
- 2 oz rye or bourbon – we’re using rye
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
Stir with ice and strain into a chilled glass. Add a cherry for that classic touch. Now, with your drink in hand, let’s dive into my story.
My Paramedic Training Adventure
In the late 1980s, I enrolled in Northeastern University’s paramedic training program. As part of that training, we needed to complete certain skills in the field, so in January 1990, I headed to New York City, ready for my field internship with NYCEMS (before they were absorbed by FDNY. I was assigned to Paramedic Unit 35 William, based out of Kings County Hospital in the Bedford-Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn.
A Wild First Night
My first shift was unforgettable. We had finished up a call which had taken us well out of our area to Coney Island Hospital. Returning back, we were stopped at a light when something weird happened in the intersection across from us. Two plainclothes NYPD officers, who were off-duty and headed out to unwind from their night had jumped out of their car, guns drawn, approaching a van stopped at the light in front of them. Then my paramedic preceptors asked if they needed help and they began yelling at them “Call a 13! Call a 13!”, which, if you’ve watched any Law & Order episode, you know is the NYPD call for IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE. Usually, that’s a call when an officer is down, so my preceptors exited the bus, letting their dispatcher briefly know what was going on. Telling me to stay in the back, they began arguing amongst themselves whether they should call it in as a 10-13, or as a 10-87, which is a less urgent officer needs assistance call.
And It Gets Wilder
As they continued to approach the officers, who had two occupants of the van at gunpoint, the Brooklyn EMS dispatcher, a bit concerned, began calling them. They had one walkie-talkie between them which they had switched to the NYPD’s frequency to assist the officers. I had no way to reach from the back of the ambulance to the front, and after fruitlessly trying to raise them, the dispatcher remotely activated the computer in the bus – the screen of which turned red and began flashing “EMERGENCY”- then called the Kings County station supervisor. I still remember it to this day:
“Patrol 35”
“Go ahead”
“Cap, I have 35 Willie out assisting the police at (location), possibly with a 10-13 and now I can’t raise them.”
“Patrol 35, on the way.”, followed by every other available ambulance in Brooklyn, Numbers and letters 35 Adam, 35 Charlie, 34 Davis, 33 Yankee… and on and on as sirens went off all over the place.
I cautiously opened the side door, used it as cove, stuck my head out “Guys? You might want to talk to dispatch. Al that noise? Yeah, that’s for you.”
All’s Well That Ends Well
Luckily, the suspects were quickly taken into custody. I found out later on the ride back to Kings County, the 2 plainclothes officers had been behind them when they took a shot at someone standing on a corner a few miles away. Since they were off duty, had no radios, they had to wait until they got to the fateful stoplight in front of us and spring into action. The situation ended without harm, and everyone returned safely to their stations. It was a dramatic start to my NYC experience, teaching me just how unpredictable the job could be.
Savoring the Moment with a Manhattan
The Manhattan is a drink that symbolizes New York’s spirit—bold, classic, and full of history. It’s the perfect companion for stories of bravery and grit. As I sip one now, I’m reminded of those moments that shaped my career and life.
Enjoy your Manhattan, and here’s to the stories that make life richer!
