Whether or not you have experienced a tragedy or personal emergency, it is hard to fathom the dangerous and difficult work our nation’s first responders consistently face in order to protect those around them. But, it is not hard to take time to appreciate the heroic work they do.
There are more than 3 million first responders in the U.S., according to the Department of Homeland Security. This large group of heroes are in all 50 states and represent all walks of life. They’re our neighbors, colleagues, family and friends, and they routinely risk their lives to protect us. In honor of this, we are taking some time now to focus on the first responders below to show them our utmost admiration and gratitude.
Firefighters typically carry as much as 60 pounds of gear while on the job. And the environments they work in can vary widely depending on where they are stationed. Our nation’s firefighters have faced tragic situations from forest fires, to rescuing those trapped in large urban buildings. They are up before dawn, working 12 to 16-hour shifts, up to 21 days straight on a regular basis.
Law enforcement or police officers are often the first to arrive at the scene of an emergency. An officer who serves as the first responder to an emergency or crime scene properly protects, preserves, and collects evidence. Officers who are the first to arrive at a crime scene must assume a very large responsibility in that they need to prevent or control any changes in the crime scene.
Unlike law enforcement officers or firefighters, where the first person to arrive at the scene needs to have full capabilities to attack the situation, EMT or paramedic worker’s duties have to be addressed differently, by stopping the emergency from progressing to more dire consequences, and then transporting the individual in need to definitive care. This is often via ambulance to a hospital emergency room, burn center, trauma center, etc. EMT or paramedic workers are often seen as the most vital role in many emergency situations as they are responsible for addressing and preventing worsening conditions to individuals in need in as short a time as possible.
By reflecting on the roles and individual duties of these first responders, we hope that a sense of respect and appreciation has been instilled, as we acknowledge all that they do to serve and protect our nation and our individual communities. Join us for the remainder of July as we continue to pay tribute to our nation's frontline workers in our “Salute To Our Frontlines” blog series!