It’s late Tuesday morning. On a major thoroughfare, traffic stops at a signal light. A southbound driver wants to turn left and the stopped traffic creates a space for him to cross two lanes of traffic. Unbeknownst to him, a vehicle is coming that he cannot see, nor can the driver who signaled him to … Read More
In an instant. This phrase brings to mind the reality of how fast one’s life can change. The A.L.E.R.T. helicopter is lifting off with a driver injured in an accident in which he quickly crossed over the center line and struck a much larger, oncoming truck and trailer. He then careened into another big truck, … Read More
On Valentine’s Day, representatives of the Bigfork Ladies Service Club presented this check to Braveheart. After we made a presentation last fall, the service club chose to invest into Braveheart so that both citizens and responders would continue to have a full-time chaplain available. This SUV came to rest in the midst of a rock … Read More
“The tow truck driver and I both admitted that neither of us had ever seen a car’s engine end up 50 yards from the vehicle it belonged in.” On Wednesday morning, a new volunteer chaplain candidate with a law enforcement agency had completed his interview. He requested that if I had a call which he … 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
“Thanks for being here.” I hear this phrase quite often from responders on scene, especially in the midst of the more graphic, harsh situations. Last night, I heard this comment from several law enforcement officers as we stood in the middle of Highway 93, a few miles south of Whitefish. It was late at night, … Read More
“While Kalispell sits surrounded by beautiful mountains and pristine water, a harshness exists in our midst as tragedy occurs regularly, and at times brutally.” -Chaplain Drew Buckner While sitting in my office yesterday, I was somewhat startled to hear responders dispatched to a homicide. Besides the fact that we still live in a smaller community, … 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
This is a true story. It recently occurred outside of Kalispell. Night has fallen. A senior adult traveling south on a rural two lane paved road hits a deer. The animal dies immediately, remaining in front of the car, with the driver staying in her automobile. A citizen traveling in the north bound lane stops … Read More
Quick response. Training. Skills. Experience. Wisdom. Knowledge. Teamwork. All of these terms are a part of what it takes for responders to effectively deal with traumatic situations. This particular scene involved 911 Dispatch, Somers Fire, South Kalispell Fire, Flathead County Sheriff’s Office, Montana Highway Patrol, Motor Carrier Services, A.L.E.R.T. air ambulance, Lakeside QRU, Braveheart Chaplain … Read More
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