Rachael Watson, Staff Writer
The dictionary describes a first responder as, “a person who is among those responsible for going immediately to the scene of an accident or emergency to provide assistance,” and it is correct. First responders are people such as police officers, paramedics, EMT’s, and firefighters who show up when we call for help during an emergency.
But, that is not all that they are. They are the people who hold our hands at the very worst moments in our lives. They are the people who bring us back after pain or fear has taken control. They are the people who risk their lives every day to take care of us.
These are not easy things to be, they not only take physical tolls for people but emotional tolls as well. Can you imagine what it must feel like to give everything you have to save a life, but it not be enough? Can you picture how it would be to spend the holidays working, away from your family and your friends? It begs the question: why do they do it?
The men and women who choose to become first responders do so out of a willingness to help others and a resolve to make a difference. This is particularly true with those first responders who are volunteers, such as my grandpa and my dad.
My grandfather and my Dad are both volunteers for our local fire department back home. Volunteer firefighters do the same things as paid firefighters do, but receive no benefits or pay. Volunteer fire departments are something we all take for granted, because they are just always there. We do not realize that these men and women have families, friends, jobs, and whole life outside of their volunteer work.
I have heard so many times that the volunteer fire department is so slow. Volunteer fire departments do have a slower response time than paid departments, and this can be very frustrating when you are in need of help. However, because they are volunteer their budgets are not generally as large as other departments. Which means that they cannot afford to keep firefighters at the station all the time. So, when you call them, they might be driving their kids home from school or mowing the lawn, and that is where the extra time comes from.
The men and women who earn the title as first responders are much stronger than me, and I am so very grateful to have them watching out for me.
It takes a special kind of person to have the bravery and strength to be a first responder, so I encourage you to take a moment to think about a time when your life was impacted by a first responder, and maybe thank them the next time you meet.
