Terry Longpre 06-20-18
American Patriot’s
As I write my column(s) I mention the military, law enforcement, and our first responders. In this column, I want to address those who I consider to be those responders.
According to the dictionary the words First Responders means; A certified person who has completed a course and received certification in providing pre-hospital care for medical emergencies.
In my world, I personally consider anyone (EMS and Fire Department personnel) who responds to an emergency such as a fire, auto accident or medical issue or a disaster a first responder. The above list could also include law enforcement; however, I keep them in their own category, as I do those who serve in the military.
When I rode a motorcycle for the Sheriff’s Office, we took an advanced first aid course because we might be on scene before the arrival of emergency services. We did what we could to treat victims and to stabilize them from movement, etc. Once the first responder arrived, we left the medical issues to those highly trained personnel and went about our business of directing traffic and investigating the wreck if it was in our jurisdiction. If it was not our jurisdiction, we assisted the responsible agency as much as we could with traffic control, etc.
Back to my point, the emergency services folks sometimes don’t receive the credit they deserve. They save untold lives, millions of dollars in property and put their lives on the line for others daily.
As with any other training critique, many hundreds of hours are required to be the best they can be. They also have the crazy hours which they work, being away from their families, missing important events in their kids’ lives, etc. They are supported by their wives and family members due to their crazy work schedules.
While writing regarding family support, I want to make sure my readers understand what is required by the families support mechanism to enable our law enforcement, military and first responders to do what they swore to do. It is a 24/7 calling on the family’s part to support them in their job and even in their days when the job sometimes becomes too much to handle.
Imagine if you will, those first responders (including law enforcement personnel) who have responded to the recent rash of school shootings. Knowing there is a good chance their child could be attending the school where they are responding. After the situation was under control and after seeing the carnage they carry on to the next call which might involve a fire, death, suicide or a horrific traffic accident with great bodily injury. Ask yourself, could I do this every day, hours on end and not become affected by the experiences?
Please take time out of your day to thank those who go into harms ways to help save others and their property. It all comes down to the ‘oath’ taken and their personal need and calling to help others which makes these men and women special not only to their families but also to the communities they serve.
God bless those who serve to protect us and most of all, God bless America.
Terry Longpre