“I know that I have life insofar as I have love. I have no love except it come from Thee. Help me, please, to carry this candle against the wind.” -Wendell Berry As most people know, we have experienced some difficult days in the Flathead over the last month and a half. Death, pain, and … Read More
In the last 10 days, I have witnessed the top of a car being ripped open in order to try and save someone, trainees honing their skills and newfound strength while learning from a master, a couple being talked down from a domestic disaster, and a person withstanding and surviving a surprise attack. These events … Read More
One of the joys I have is teaching Compassion Fatigue to each class of new nurses at our hospital. This seminar helps to equip these registered nurses to take care of themselves while they serve in a high-stress career that too often leads to burnout within their first year. Those who work in the caregiving … Read More
By Chaplain Chris Messenger A couple of weeks ago, I received a call from Drew Buckner, the head chaplain at Braveheart Ministry, and he asked if I wanted to go on a call with him concerning the death of a teenager in downtown Kalispell. Though internally not knowing what to expect, my desire to help … Read More
This is one of the most difficult type of emergency calls to respond to for all responders. Anytime children die, it brings about piercing screams, severe shock, and other adverse reactions. These screaming sounds and the expressions on parent’s faces are not quickly forgotten. In a sense, they go with us. Standing beside families as … Read More
It’s the phone call-page out that no one who works in the emergency responder world wants to receive. It almost automatically raises one’s heart rate, blood pressure, stress level and more. It’s that of an infant not breathing or having died. When I was called by dispatch, it was not quite mid-morning and the infant … Read More
A major loss of property makes an emotional and mental mark upon its victims. An unexpected and destructive fire can quickly have a lasting impact on a family just like this one did this morning. While no one was physically injured, a major loss of property makes an emotional and mental mark upon its victims. … Read More
The first day of winter weather hit hard and so did these two vehicles! While sitting in a caring citizen’s van who stopped to help and while waiting on a loved one to arrive, one of the drivers emphatically declared, “I can’t believe how many responders are here, how fast they arrived, and how well … Read More
When an experienced responder calls me on a Saturday to inform me of a REALLY bad motor vehicle accident, I know that I should assess my immediate plans in light of needing to go to the emergency room. He mentions that the hospital chaplains might already be involved, but he wants me to know just … Read More
I was unavailable to help on Sunday during the fire, but I arrived at the church building around 8:00 a.m. the morning after. My hope was to visit with the priest as he would likely feel its impact in a significant way. Upon arriving, community leaders who are a part of the congregation were visiting … Read More
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