THE LIST: A tip of the cap to our first responders

An assignment I went on last Saturday morning further cemented for me what I already knew: our area’s first responders are the absolute finest you’ll find anywhere.

The Greenfield pool’s staff experienced a drill you can read about on the front page of this week’s edition.

I’ve been on scene of emergencies many times through my job — usually well after the call goes out and responders have sprang into action — and they’re stressful, even when it’s just a simulation. From the pool staff to the fire department, ambulance personnel and law enforcement, everyone handled it professionally and beautifully.

I know enough about emergencies to say that seconds can seem like minutes and minutes can seem like hours when you’re waiting for help, but in true form, the response was extremely fast by our first responders during this drill. Adair County Health System EMS Manager Chris Roberts said after the drill that the time frames he observed during the drill were both rewarding and realistic. Time is of the essence and everyone acted with that in mind.

It is evident that from the pool to the responders who came to take part in the drill, our area personnel are equipped with the absolute best equipment to face just about anything. At that thought, we as a community should be comforted.

According to the National Volunteer Fire Council, a nonprofit devoted to representing the needs of volunteer fire, EMS and rescue services across the nation, 65% of firefighters in the United States are volunteer — as are all of ours within Adair County. The majority of fire departments in the United States are volunteer. Their members work other jobs and leave everything to respond to the call for help when the pager goes off.

Another reality is that many local volunteer fire departments are struggling to meet staffing needs. The IVFC reports that in 2020, the nation’s roster of volunteer firefighters reached an all-time low. This comes as call volume has tripled in the last three and a half decades.

Our local first responders face these challenges here at home with hearts of gold filled with care for the communities they serve.

A tip of the hat to all the helpers in our communities for all they do!