Somewhere around 1986, Burke County started the Emergency Management Agency in the county. I was fifteen years-old at the time, but I somehow recognized the great importance of what they had done. They built Engine Company #4, adjacent to the post office, in my hometown of Midville. That was the first new building of any kind that we had seen in Midville in a very long time.
There were new buildings constructed and new jobs were created as well, but I saw these new buildings, more importantly the folks working there, as a tremendous blessing to the people of our county. Because of these stations we had fire protection and medical assistance in all of the outlying areas of the county.
Over the years I have seen many people receive help in an emergency that they may not have had otherwise. I have somehow managed to get to know many of the folks who have worked at Engine Company #4 over the years. I have always tried to express my gratitude to them for the job they do.
In the last couple of years, my mother, in life and death, was the recipient of the wonderful job the EMA does. I received a call one day that my mother was wandering around her house and was very disoriented. I rushed to get there as fast as I could. Prior to that day, I had never called 911, but on that day, I was grateful to be able to do so.
The fire truck arrived very quickly with two EMT’S and then the ambulance arrived shortly thereafter. Those men quickly assessed the situation and my mother’s medical condition. She was swiftly loaded into the ambulance to be transported to the hospital. I was filled with gratitude for those men and thanked them for taking care of my mother.
Last August, I went by my mama’s house to check on her and found that she had passed away. I called our Police Chief, who in turn, contacted the EMA. Once again, the fire truck was there in a matter of minutes and the ambulance arrived as well. All of those men stayed in the room with my mother’s body.
I realize that it is standard procedure for them to stay until the coroner arrives, but it brought me great comfort having them present. They were all very professional, but their genuine concern was very evident. I’d never experienced a situation like that, but there they were taking care of things.
You know that old adage about not knowing until you’ve been there? I certainly found out, in my hometown and in another state as well. I truly believe that the EMT’s, Paramedics and Firefighters were all cut from the same bolt of cloth regardless of where they may be. About a year ago I took a ride in the back of an ambulance myself.
I suffered a major health problem on a ranch in Texas many miles away from a hospital, but the local EMA folks arrived in an ambulance to care for me. They took me to a hospital in Lubbock. The EMT in the back with me was very attentive and was constantly checking all of my vitals.
This lady was so sweet and caring, she put me at ease in the middle of a tough situation. I wanted to make a call to a friend and let my friend know what was going on. As I was talking to my friend, I was not making much sense due to the severity of the condition I was in. That sweet lady took my phone and explained what was going on to my friend. I was so thankful for what she had done.
One day last week I was eating lunch at our little cafe in Midville. I looked out of the window and saw a truck pulling up in the parking lot. An old friend of mine was driving, and I watched closely as he tried to get out of his truck. He was having great difficulty, and it concerned me.
My friend has had some health issues in the last few years but still manages to get around. This day was different. I knew something was not right. I got up to go outside and help him. Myself, along with the nice lady at the cafe were both trying very hard to hold him up and get him inside.
Once he was seated, that same nice lady fixed his plate and a glass of tea. She assured me that they would get some help in order to get him back to his truck. I nodded, but I knew my friend needed medical help. I left the cafe headed to Engine Company #4.
I rang the buzzer and an EMT soon appeared. I explained the situation to him and asked if they could go check on him. Captain Craig Brackin joined in our conversation and both of those men assured me they were on the way to check on my friend. I felt relieved.
They did in fact go check on my friend and his blood sugar was sky high. They transported him to the hospital to receive further care. I went back to Engine Company #4 late that afternoon to thank those men for what they had done. I told Captain Brackin I realized it was their job, but I wanted to thank them regardless.
He was grateful for my appreciation, and we had a wonderful conversation together. I’ve always tried to be thankful for all the men and women who work in emergency services, but after what I’ve experienced first-hand, I am beyond thankful. Regardless of where they’re at, these EMT’S are wearing their appointed uniforms, but those uniforms don’t disguise the fact that there are angels among us.
