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 Ministry, and emergency room staff.

Some of the tasks which were quickly implemented by various agencies were: dispatching, medical examination and initial care, deciding additional agencies required, directing traffic, interviewing truck driver and witnesses, extracting the victim, visiting with the uninjured driver, witnesses, and responders, writing reports, continuing necessary aspects of the investigation.

Teamwork is the common approach to accomplishing much more than individual efforts. The emergency responder world requires continual joint efforts to produce the best results possible. It is also true in most of life.

~Chaplain Drew Buckner