Book Description

John Shedler brings to us the absorbing story of a unique emergency response team in a unique setting: the frozen streets of Alaska. Chronicling his time with the Anchorage Community Service Patrol, Shedler relates a series of compelling actual episodes, from life -or- death medical emergencies to dangerous police situations, set against a backdrop of kindness and empathy as the CSP carries on their humanitarian mission to aid the city's indigent and often inebriated street population. As it pays tribute to the CSP's compassionate and dedicated men and women, always forced to do more with less and rarely given the respect or support they deserved, "A Slow Death in the Streets" also raises important moral and public policy questions regarding how we think about and care for our homeless. Brad Selden, M.D., FORMER EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN, ALASKA NATIVE MEDICAL CENTER FORMER MEMBER, ANCHORAGE ALASKA EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ADIVSORY BOARD This a great read. The memories of so many events was fun & sad at the same time. This is a quick & have to read for any EMS, ER staff. This describes Anchorage during the 1970, 1980 & early 1990's. A great documentary defining a lot of community effort to care for these people. The concept that this is a lifestyle choice is well brought out. Don Hudson, DO ER Doctor at Alaska Regional Hospital & Medical Director for the Department of Corrections.