We Each Have Our Role in Helping Others
At around 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, I declare to my family I am going to bed. Almost immediately, one of them announces my work phone is ringing. It quits doing so before I can answer it. I notice it is dispatch’s number. While attempting to call them back, my personal cell begins ringing. A 911 dispatcher is still trying to reach me. I answer this one in time.
Unfortunately, there is a structure fire in Hungry Horse with one fatality.
I go through the familiar steps of late night call outs by announcing the crisis to my family, getting dressed and into my work car. I announce over the radio I am 10-8 (on duty and responding to the scene) and drive the 40 minutes.
Upon arriving, I check in with the Incident Commander who assigns a firefighter to help me find two friends of the deceased. They’ve apparently already left, therefore my assignment shifts to helping three young firefighters to process their experiences.
Collectively, there are several difficult firsts for this group of dedicated volunteers. We have a meaningful discussion regarding these issues which seems helpful.
I finish by praying for them. I check in with the chief and return home at 1:15 a.m.
Looking back on it, I am reminded that among responders, we each have our role in helping others.
~Chaplain Drew
