Submitted by: Brenda Dutchak 

On Dec. 10th we were having a busy day in the AMBULANCE COMMUNICATIONS CENTER, when we received a call for a 72 year old male on the street that was unconscious, not breathing. The caller did not know this man but called for help, as the Emergency Medical Dispatcher went through her interrogation, she quickly realized that this man was in fact not breathing, the caller stated he did not know how to do CPR, the Emergency Medical Dispatcher was not worried she knew she would be able to talk the caller through all the correct steps.

Her dispatcher sent out the AMBULANCE, as the EMD talked the caller through CPR, once the Paramedic’s arrived they took over doing CPR and did in fact bring this man back to life. We are proud to say that this gentleman is still alive today, why because of the stranger doing the right thing and calling for help, the Emergency Medical Dispatcher talking the caller through CPR, the Paramedic’s that arrived on scene within minutes and taking over CPR and rushing the patient to the hospital.

The hero’s in this story are the Stranger, the Emergency Medical Dispatcher, and of course the Ambulance Paramedic’s.

We so often forget about the Ambulance Paramedic’s and the Emergency Medical Dispatchers that are also real HERO’S.

Yes the fire fighters and police do a great job, but people forget (like your song Dave) there are also the Ambulance Personnel out in the Emergency Services world as well and no one gives them or makes a song about them. Very, very sad.

Thanks for reading about some real hero’s.

Submitted by: Tom Berggren

I am a fire chief 35 years paid, my story is about my daughter Rachael who at age 23 has already rose to the rank of dispatch supervisor, trainer, is considered the best at her job by all. She has earned a firefighter1 and 2 state certification, EMT-basic and about to complete her associate degree in fire technology. She has dedicated her brief career of 3 years to become a role model to other young people especially females. She has taken a lot of flack from people who said she couldn’t achieve the remarkable levels of excellence in the fire service she has. I think her dedication to her job as a dispatcher and as a volunteer firefighter, should be recognized. She has achieved all this on her own without any help from me as she works in another parish on the other side of the lake. She is definetely an inspiration to all young people as to what you can achieve if you work hard enough.

Submitted by: Lee-Anne Newton

My story is about, Patrick Kline. He is a Captain with the Halifax Regional Fire Department and also a critical care Paramedic with the Capital District Health and a former Life Flight Paramedic.

Not only is he a first responder in his professional life but he is a first responder in his personal life. I have witnessed him on a airplane responding to a sick passenger, and watched his professionalism and calming nature to assist the patient and also at the same time calm and reassure the family.

Just last night he was about to play hockey when he responded to a man in a cardiac arrest on the bench. Today there is a 41 year old man alive due to the quick action of a born first responder.