I've tried two approaches to dealing with problems: confronting them head on (more often than not), and turning the other cheek. So far both have had the same result. I'm tired of dealing with drama, bullshit, rumors, slander, libel, defamation, etc. I feel like the time to do something drastic is coming up... what that is, I do not know. To take you back 6 hours...
Me: "On scene route XX at route xx, one vehicle into the guardrail, passing command to engine XX, will advice."
Dispatch: "XX, I copy you on scene, one into the guardrail, passing command to XX at 1634."
What I see: A bunch of kids huddled by the guardrail, two worried parents, and one little girl crying her eyes out. I ask if anyone's hurt and the mother tells me she doesn't think so, but that one of her girls might be. I kneel down to talk to her.
Me: Hey honey, what's your name? Sarah? That's my best friend's name. Great name to have. You hurt anywhere? Any pain? No? That's good... how old are you? 9? Wow, that's great! Hey, tell me if this hurts... no? Good, good... it's going to be ok Sarah, we're going to take care of you."
One re-assuring shoulder squeeze and a tow truck later we left the scene and the family went on their way. All the BS seemed to melt away. Life was good. For an hour. Then it started up again, but that's ok. Sometimes one hour of that in this crazy world is all you need.