WATCH | The 'Fabulous' Time-Waster: How Social Media Stunts Are Killing Emergency Response

Every wasted minute, a life at risk. See the shocking footage of paramedics caught in a pointless, filmed confrontation

Emergency services exist for one reason—to help people in need. Yet, time and time again, frontline paramedics and EMTs find themselves caught in bizarre situations where their vital work is not just wasted but turned into a spectacle for likes and shares. A video recently sent to ESN Report by a reader perfectly illustrates this growing problem.

In the video (see below), an emergency ambulance crew arrives at an address, only to be met by a woman who immediately begins filming them through an opening in her window as the life-saving medics stand outside of her property on the street. Instead of seeking medical assistance, she launches into a nonsensical tirade, questioning why they are there and insinuating that they have been "sent by the popo." When the paramedics calmly try to explain that they are simply responding to a call, she continues to accuse them of being part of a wider conspiracy, dismissing their presence and ridiculing their work.

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Throughout the footage, the three life-saving emergency responders remain professional and composed despite the absurdity of the situation. They attempt to determine whether the woman needs help, but she insists she is "absolutely fabulous" and instead uses the moment to promote her so-called whistleblowing efforts. Meanwhile, across the country, people experiencing real medical emergencies are left waiting for ambulances that are delayed—sometimes dangerously so—because crews are being dispatched to time-wasters like this one.

The Trend of Filming First Responders for Clout

This video is part of a worrying trend: emergency service personnel being filmed by people who have no genuine reason to call them, all in the hope of creating viral content. It’s a dangerous game that wastes time, resources, and ultimately puts lives at risk.

The woman in the video repeatedly demands to know who sent the paramedics/EMTs, treating the entire situation as if it were some elaborate plot rather than an emergency call made in good faith—whether by her or someone else. When the crew explains that they often get called to people who don’t actually need their help, she scoffs, dismissing the serious problem of time-wasting. But their admission only reinforces just how ridiculous the situation has become; highly trained paramedics & EMTs, equipped to save lives, are being dispatched to people who neither want nor need their help, while genuine emergencies are left waiting.

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A Reality Check: Who Actually Pays the Price?

Every one of the thousands of unnecessary calls made each year to the emergency services diverts already stretched resources from real emergencies. Every wasted minute spent dealing with individuals like this woman is a minute that could be spent saving someone’s life. And yet, despite the frustration they must have felt, these paramedics handled the situation with absolute professionalism, remaining calm, refusing to be baited into an argument, and leaving without escalating the situation.

Imagine, for a moment, being that elderly person suffering from a stroke, waiting for an ambulance that should have arrived 20 minutes ago but didn’t because the crew was dealing with this nonsense instead. It’s infuriating to watch, but it’s happening more and more often.

It’s Time for a Change

Paramedics & EMTs, like all emergency service workers, deserve respect. They are not reality TV contestants, they are not political pawns, and they are certainly not props for someone’s social media theatrics. The more we allow incidents like this to go unchallenged, the more they will continue.

If you see this kind of behaviour, call it out. If you know someone who treats emergency responders as inconveniences rather than lifesavers, educate them. The system is already under strain; let’s not make it worse with childish antics.

Watch the Full Video (Premium Subscribers Only)

This video was sent to ESN Report by a reader who was as outraged as we were. If you’ve come across similar footage, whether on social media or in real life, send it our way. We want to continue highlighting these cases and pushing for change.

The full video is available exclusively for our premium subscribers, because it’s your support that keeps ESN Report running. If you believe in our work and want to help us shine a light on the reality of emergency service challenges, consider subscribing today.