System Failure: A Paramedic Short Story Based on True Events

by Jacqueline Patricks

System Failure is a paramedic short story based on true events. It is intense, suspenseful, and written in first person. It is the fourth short story in my paramedic short story series. Be sure to read my first Downgrade, Dog Days of Dying, and A Bad Choice.

These are the memoirs of my career told in short story form.

Paramedics suffer PTSD in greater numbers than the average adult.

The job is intense, grueling, and requires mental, emotional, and physical resilience. Most paramedics quit within the first few years. We leave EMS because of low pay, high stress, and bad work-life balance. So why do the job? Because we love it. All the struggles, finding a balance, the highs and lows, ultimately, it's all worth it until you experience that one call. The one call that changes your balance, your perspective, your career.

Ride along with a call the changes everything for a paramedic and her journey through its ramifications on her personally and professionally.

Intense first-person deep perspective. Discussion of PTSD. References and Resources for help included.

Perfect for former paramedic, first responders and those interested in the profession.

33 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication December 31, 2025

About the author

Welcome, dear reader, to my author page! I hope you enjoy reading mash ups and a touch of speculative fiction as much as I do. I'm not afraid of pushing boundaries. As such, sometimes my stories don't always fit in neat little industry boxes. I can promise fun, thrilling, interesting characters and HEA in my romances. I like to torture my characters and make them earn their HEA though, so be ready for some angst, pain, tears and cliff-hangers. If that's your style, please read on.

I've loved writing almost as long as I've loved reading. Stories in my mind burn to be told. I enjoy writing different genres and mixing genres, but my favorites are science fiction and fantasy with romance because who doesn't want romance in their life? I also write paramedic fiction based on my life experiences, and I'm a military veteran so I enjoy adding strong female and male characters to my stories.

YOU DON'T READ A JACQUELINE PATRICKS STORY, YOU EXPERIENCE IT!
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Reviews

[Thresa Charland · Rating 5 out of 5]

System Failure ...Please check your triggers warnings ⚠️
This is based on someone's true trama
First beautifully written such a hard thing to write about..and as a mother an former emt an cna I feel this 100%..ive been on my own fair share of her side in this book an it totally sucks the helplessness you feel the anger an then what could I have done to change the outcome ..sadly our teachers an staff should be better equipped to handle these situations..the aftermath an trauma are real and this book should be read with ur mental health in mind as it deals with very hard situations and personal health ..overall it was a wonderful amazing read 5 stars for sure an to put all your emotions an rawness an struggles into it takes so much ..

[Ashlynn Battoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read as an ARC. As a wife of a medic this brought me to tears. The story she tells and the vivid details about her experience has me wondering if as a medic’s wife I am doing enough to help him. I will be reading her other books!