First Responders – Thank You

Over the past few years, I have heard the term First Responders used more and more.

It is a term employed, sometimes generically, to people who are the first to arrive and aid at the scene of an emergency such as an accident, natural disaster or terrorist attack.

Generally, they are medical technicians, paramedics, police, fire fighters, military personnel or specialized professional rescuers. Those who respond will naturally vary according to the nature of the event.

Often the event is fraught with danger. Take the shooting in North York in 2018, or the SARS event in 2003. In the case of SARS, these First Responders were among the first victims.

Fortunately, Fire Fighters do not have as many fires to fight as in the past (except forest fires), perhaps as a result of education and better fire regulations. However, they are often called in to other emergency situations, ranging from prying people out of a car after an accident, to rescuing someone’s indispensable companion… their treasured cat, from a tree.

Their efforts have saved countless lives. In Canada, we are lucky to have well-trained people who can respond at the drop of a hat.

Most countries have people who they can mobilize, however, sometimes they need to send out a worldwide call, such as they did in the rescue of the young soccer team from the cave in Thailand. The whole world watched in amazement and suspense as this rescue took place. Fortunately, it resulted in cheers for the rescued and accolades for the rescuers. Not every country automatically reveres First Responders.

In Syria, the White Helmets spent countless hours trying to find people buried beneath the rubble created by bombs and other explosives. They were initially applauded and nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. The organization which reached over 3700 volunteers claim they have rescued over 100000 people. In the process, over 250 lost their lives.

The Syrian government, however, claimed they were terrorists operating against Syria.

In fact, much of their funding came from the U.S. and U.K. governments. The U.S. government, among others, have stopped funding them.

Many in White Helmets eventually feared for their own lives, and they themselves became refugees. Approximately 300 have gone to other countries (and one to Canada).

Not all first responders are trained. After earth quakes, floods and other catastrophes, many ordinary citizens quickly volunteer. In the case of an earthquake, searching through rubble, trying to locate the person whose voice is crying out. From my own minor experience removing smashed concrete, I can fully appreciate how physically and emotionally difficult this is.

Sometimes people are rescued, however, more often they find a dead body.

We normally take first responders for granted and do not even think of them unless we are involved in an emergency. What if the next time you see a policeman, a fire fighter, a soldier, or a paramedic, you stop and say thank you, even if there is no emergency. If you do say thank you, let us know what happened.

Let us know too if you have a First Responder story you would like to share.

Til next time,

Chris Snyder