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«There’s beatings, traumas... folks jumping into water. With people eating and drinking heavily, accidents do happen,» lists Alarm Centre rescue leader Merike Vahher, asked about Midsummer Day specifics. «For us, Midsummer Day means loads of work, for a while.» As evidenced by prior years, 400 people above average dial 112.
Ms Vahher goes on to explain that many head for the country-side – quite often in a direction totally unclear to them. Then there are the school leavers’ parties, the young people at times unaware where the event is happening.
«As something happens and we get the call, then they do not know where they are,» said Ms Vahher. «For instance: in a couple of cases, people ring to report an accident, panicking and telling us their home address.»
«Then, people have been found in holes in the ground, with only a tiny speck of the heavens above in view. Then the conversation begins – where did he/she go, what was the intended destination,» added the Alarm Centre director-general Janek Laev. «Sometimes the people have a hard time understanding why we keep asking our questions and do not send help immediately; however, we need to determine where we would have to send them (ambulance, fire-fighters – edit) as they would have to have specific directions.»
Ms Vahher underlines the need for all to have mobile phones at hand with batteries charged, in order to avoid a situation of beep-beep and no connection with Alarm Centre.
«As you call, say very specifically what happened; from there, the rescue leader will determine what kind of help is needed,» she continued. «As for us, we need to talk to those calling as our best friends – then they will trust us. Still, at times we need to raise our voices so they would listen.» With the latter, referring to people screaming in panic, unable to cooperate and answer questions.
«This is understandable, for in the more severe cases, we have a person in crisis at the end of the telephone line,» said Mr Laev. «In people’s lives, there are not many such crises where life itself is slipping away; yet, when once you are in it, you will not recognise yourself – later on you will not remember what you were saying, the brain will not record it.»
Mr Laev confirmed that for the Alarm Centre, Midsummer Day means an altogether different work routine with more incoming calls and the call centre abuzz. For the experienced staff, however, such seasonal waves are no surprise.
«We get about a million calls a year and the amount varies, seasonally,» said Mr Laev. «In spring, for instance, when people have health trouble and it is flu season, we have loads of calls.»
As that recedes, people go to their country homes, light bonfires and last year’s dead grass is set ablaze... quite often, this year. As the spring season comes to its end, it is time for traffic accidents, then water accidents, people drowning. That will be the summer. In the fall, people head for the woods, which also tend to catch fire. Mr Laev explains that Alarm Centre jobs are good for people who are helpers by nature and possess a sense of a mission. Today, for instance, 16 such future rescue leaders graduate from Väike-Maarja Rescue School. In addition to that, new people are sought for the vital profession in centres of Tallinn, Pärnu, Jõhvi and Elva.
«What counts is one’s ability to handle stress. Without that, there comes the moment you feel the health giving way,» said Mr Laev. «You have to be able to communicate with people in crises, voices raised.»
Ms Vahher readily admits: a rescue leader’s job is intense – often the situation at the other end may be critical, requiring immense speed in deciding what kind of help is needed and how fast it is supposed to arrive.