Recognizing community heroes for National First Responder Day
Some of the biggest unsung heroes in our community are first responders, WXXV News 25’s Lucas Warren highlights some of these heroes for National First Responder Day.
Monday was National First Responder Day, lets highlight some of the first responders right here on the Coast that save lives every day.
Our first stop takes us to Pafford EMS which is the official EMS service of the Memorial Health System. As EMS technicians Pafford EMS Logistics Manager Pamela Stokes tells WXXV that saving lives is just another Monday. “It’s amazing how it comes together as a team from our 911 dispatchers onto our call takers, they are the heart and soul of EMS. That’s really what makes up EMS. It’s not just the ambulance or the fire department or the police department it’s all of us working together as one in the emergency medical services to provide a top level of care for our communities”
Outside of medical care, first responders have to react in the face of disaster and that’s what brings us to the Gulfport Police Department. Gulfport PIO Lt. Jason DuCre’ said, “What we do on a regular basis is we help people. Whether your car has been in a wreck or your house is broken into, we go there and we help. Every day I get to serve the City of Gulfport and be part of something bigger than myself. I never have to ask myself or wonder if I’m making a difference. That’s one of the positive things, you get to make a difference every day doing this job.”
Our final stop of the day is the Gulfport Fire Department which has recently had to battle some major fire, but as first responders each fire fighter does more than just fire rescue.
Gulfport Fire Engineer James Edward said, “A lot of the time we arrive on the scene and people say we didn’t call the fire department we called an ambulance. Well, a lot of us are EMTs or paramedics. I think a lot of people don’t realize we offer medical services and rescue operations like the task force that went to Florida. You know we save people more than just fire situations.”
So, whether it’s an EMS technician, a police officer, or a fire fighter, be sure to take some time to thank a first responder today.
