An Accident that changed our lives forever….

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Submitted by: Cathy

A few years back, a family member was involved in a serious car accident that changed our lives forever. If it weren’t for the actions of the paramedics that arrived at the scene first, and the air ambulance medics that took great care of our family member, she wouldn’t be here with us today. It is because of their dedication to helping complete strangers that made a difference.
My husband, a paramedic with more than 20 years experience, was called into work a shift that day and was not able. Had he been at work that day, he would have been the first vehicle dispatched to the scene. Instead it was his paramedic “brothers and sisters” that we have to thank. Somehow we always forget to mention the paramedics and their efforts. While I realize that most firefighters are also paramedics, the medics are always forgotten heroes.
This video/song is amazing and deserves many many kudos. To all the 911 people out there, whether you are a dispatcher, police officer, firefighter, or medic……. thank you for everything you do!!!!! You are all true heroes in my world.

It is what we do! :)

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Submitted by: Brad Landry

Hi Dave,

First of all I would like to thank you for taking the time to write a great song about 911 and the first responders. I myself, have been a volunteer Firefighter for 15 years with a small Volunteer Fire Department in Pomquet, Nova Scotia…Have been a Paramedic for 6 years with Emergency Health Services, Nova Scotia and a casual medical dispatcher for 911 for the past 1 year here in Halifax. In doing all of this, I have never saw myself as a ”Hero”. I have always just done what I could to help my community in any way I could…it is what I had been taught as a young man and I think that is most of the mindset of our men and women who do these jobs…with absolute pride and honour.

The question always arises to me from people asking, ”Why is it when everyone else is running from the blazing fire or dangerous situations…you men and women run in harms way?”. I have never really been able to answer this question, but to say what I believe (If I can save just one life…it was all worth it).

Every day as career / volunteers Firefighters men and women put on the uniform go in harms way to protect their communities, friends and above all that their family. They do this so that they can contribute to their communities in the best way they can.

In your video, Don shows exactly how terrible it can be sometimes when one of your own becomes a fallen Firefighter and do what needs to revive him/her. It is also true that when you are faced with these horrific situations, when the alarms ring for another call, you have to pick up and do it all over again without hessitation. It is what we are trained to do. I guess it took me in a different world by watching your video to realize what we do is SPECIAL and not many would do what we do…and that I guess is what humbles us! 🙂

Whether it be 15, 6 or 1 year…I still enjoy doing what I do and I am honored to see that you have taken time to write about us (First Responders) and thank you once again!!

God Bless the First Responders…

Brad Landry
Primary Care Paramedic (Nova Scotia)
Volunteer Fire Fighter (Nova Scotia)
911 Medical Dispatcher (Nova Scotia)

My Double Hero

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Submitted by: Virgnia Stairs

My husband served 30 years as a police officer and when not working as a police officer he was a volunteer fireman. He is now retired from the police force, however he still proudly servers as a volunteer fireman. The dedication of these volunteers is something we should all take pride in them. With out them where would we be in a case of emergency.
Our family feels we have been bless twice, as a police officer and as a fireman, so proud of him and his dedication to his communitee and fellow man!!

Virginia Stairs
Upper Kingsclear
New Brunswick.

Thank You

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Submitted by: Jane

As someone with a police officer for a parent, and who answers calls for help daily I think you did something amazing with this song. The images in the video of the 911 call taker are completely true, you never know what you’re going to get and sometimes it can be heartbreaking. The words you spoke are also very true and very touching.

I admire Fire Fighters, Police Officers, Paramedics and anyone else who goes to the scene to help, I couldn’t imagine seeing some of the things they see. They really are miracle workers. In a world where there’s sometimes not enough love and respect for others this song really tells a great story and will hopefully let others see a glimmer of what these everday heros experience.

Thanks again!

My Friend, My Husband, My Hero

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Submitted by: Dawna Riding

Before we even met at a national first aid competition in Quebec my husband was in the service of helping others. He became and EMT while studying as a full time student at UNB. Logging many hours with St. John Ambulance and Nashwak Keswick Ambulance he lived by the pager. Tired of the limitations on his ability to help he went to medical school in Halifax, where we started our story together.

Over the years we have been each others therapist/debriefer many times. He was my support after being first truck on the scene of a building collapse and many calls. I shared the worst moments of peoples lives with many people I didn’t know. I was a paramedic in Nova Scotia.

We moved, set up a medical practice and joined the local fire department together. Today I admire the man I married more than I ever knew I could. He has resuscitated infants so that their parents could have the gift of a child. He has eased people from this life to what waits for them. He has helped people when the odds were against them, and at the scene of an airplane crash was the firefighter with the skills needed for the deceased and the living. He wakes at night to the pager or phone for whoever needs him next.

Last year he was my hero when I was suffering a medical emergency in our home. As I was struggling to breath and turning blue he called for help when he couldn’t fix it.

I owe to this man many things, he is a fantastic father, husband, friend and counsellor. He will always be my hero as I look at people that wouldn’t be with their families without him, myself included.

‘Everyday Heroes’ – Story Behind the Song

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In a world where broken promises are common place, when it counts most, there are people willing to help strangers because they gave their word. The essence of ‘Everyday Heroes’ is about these individuals keeping their promise – to respond, regardless of the unknown risks that may await them. Read more

Panic – Then Relief When They Came!!!

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Submitted by: Jan

Dave song touches my heart everytime I hear it !
It triggers my memory of that moment of total panic and desperation, and of hearing the familiar sounds and flashing lights. And seeing the faces of those kind people in the Moncton NB EMS, rushing in to help us as my husband lay unconscious. . . . . Then the total relief as he came around under their care.

As is probably the case with others who share in a similar story, many such first responders, even today, remain nameless to us. This Everyday Heroes website and tribute song made available by Dave Carroll is a wonderful starting point for recognition to our and your everyday heroes, like the first responders in the greater Moncton area.

Thank you so very much for being there for us when we called! You truly are “lifesavers” in our community.

First Responders are Everyday People & Everyday Heroes

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Submitted by: Johanna

I can’t say I am able to nominate a particular ‘Everyday Hero,’ because I don’t actually know all the names of first responders who have touched my life in one way or another. But I can say the following, in recognition of Heroes in general: I have had experiences with all types of first responders (fire, police, EMS & dispatch) at different points in my life and regardless of the emergency or tragedy at the time, they were all committed to one thing first, making sure the person in need was going to be able to get help in the best and most efficient way possible. Look into the eyes of a First Responder and one thing reaches you, you see that they are real people… just like you and me.

I can recall a time not long ago where I was rescued my burning apartment and carried from my roof to safety. I was amazed at how well trained the firemen were and able to predict what my reactions might be (telling me not to jump, to stay calm, reassuring me that help is here), in order to prevent and minimize further injury. One of the biggest things I remember from my fire experience was when it was time to go back and look at the damage. The firemen were there to inform me about what I would see and accompany me because of the trauma in seeing destruction, seeing my life of memories reduced to ashes. My experience, while traumatic and frightening pales in comparison to what these people deal with on a daily basis. I can only imagine what it would be like to have to attend the scene of a terrible vehicle accident, plane crash or crime scene. They have such big hearts and strong minds to stand up to danger and tragedy and stay committed to helping all others, no matter what. I am incredibly thankful for that.

I have also experienced personal injury and death to an individual close to me. The EMS responders and really the doctors and nurses first responding to incidents showed such warmth and compassion. Especially in the face of death. It was like these people (while professional) felt like it was a personal loss to them too. That kind of reaction and relation on a personal level makes one feel and know that the people doing these jobs are the right people for these jobs. When they are attempting to comfort an individual you know that they are sincere. I know nurses and doctors are generally not considered first responders, but they work in a similar environment and deal with the same stresses.

Lastly I have a first responder in my family (police officer), and I am reminded daily the sacrifices they make in order to make our world a safer and better place. I can’t think of a more honourable profession. My uncle has committed his post pro-hockey career as a member of the Ontario Provincial Police (O.P.P.) to D.A.R.E (Drug Abuse Resistance Education in schools) and training other police officers around the world. I think while not necessarily acting in an emergency situation every day, working to make the world better for and/or in the eyes of a child is one of the greatest things of all. If I had to nominate just one Everyday Hero, I would nominate him because of his commitment to help others and help prevent danger, destruction and despair before it happens.