Letters to the Editor

Jackson Fire Department says thanks for support

Dear Editor,

The Jackson Fire Department would like to express its most sincere thanks to the citizens, business owners and industries of Jackson for their continuous support.

Since we cannot see everyone, we would like to thank everyone for all they do to make this one of the best volunteer fire departments anywhere. The department would also like to thank the mayor and city council for their continued support with funding for new equipment and training. Thanks to the Skipper family for all they do for the fire department as well. Their support is greatly appreciated.

Again, thank all of you, because you have made the Jackson Fire Department what it is today.

Captains Mike Furr

and Mark Leon, JFD fund-raising

chairpersons

Providing a service to our neighbors

Dear Editor,

I am writing to you today to give you a glimpse into the life that I lead. I was out of bed by 5:45 this morning to get my children ready and off to school. I showered and prepared for my day at my full-time job, and the hours that would await me after I got off work. I came in from work around 4 p.m. and quickly prepared a list so that I could go and buy groceries for my family, started a load of laundry and helped my children with homework. So far this seems like an average day for an average mom. I rush to buy our groceries, cook supper and clean house. I really need everything complete before 7 p.m., not because my favorite tv show comes on or because of much needed family time.

You see, I go on call as a volunteer paramedic at 7 p.m.

Most Monday and Wednesday nights you will find my partner and me on call, as you will find the same happens around the clock with our organization. We provide service to you the members of our community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Now, before you think that because I am a volunteer that my certification is any different, let me explain to you that not only did I go to the same school as the paid paramedics, but also for the most part I have many more years of experience. I am certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (like doctors and nurses), Pediatric Advanced Life Support, International Trauma Life Support and Basic Cardiac Life Support (CPR). I teach classes to both volunteers and paid EMTs and paramedics. I am not any different other than at the end of two weeks I do not get a paycheck. My payment will come in the end for a job well done. The service that I volunteer with meets the same requirements that are levied by the Alabama Department of Public Health EMS Division, as the paid services do. However, we offer ground and water search and patient extrication, none of which the paid services offer.

Some may wonder why I have chosen to volunteer my time, and the answer is simple. It actually goes to the Bible, Luke 6:31 "Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you". I have chosen to volunteer because I would like to think that if I needed my neighbors they would be there for my family and me. You see all of our volunteers are mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, and neighbors. We are a group of people who feel very passionately about the service we provide. We realize that there are times when our supper will be cold; we will miss a holiday, a birthday, or simply tucking our children into bed. We accept all of these consequences as our lot in life, and we accept them with pride.

There is no greater feeling than to hold a lifeless baby in your arms and to gently breath into that baby's tiny lungs and to feel life being restored. To know that if you had not been there at that very moment in time, this little life would have ended before it ever began.

So yes I am a volunteer and I am one with pride, I work along side my fellow EMTs, my brothers, and my sisters. I do so without regard or regret, not only do I sacrifice my time, but so does my family. So instead of attempting to belittle or minimize what we do, encourage and support us. We provide a service to you our neighbors that you never realize you need until is it not there.

Shannon Davidson,

NREMT-P

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