In Our View: Appreciating first responders
This week, and every third week in May, is National Emergency Medical Services Week, an important reminder of the lifesaving work first responders provide in our community.
Those considered first responders are employees of the state or a local public agency who provide emergency response services, including peace officers, firefighters, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, public safety dispatchers and public safety telecommunicators.
If you’ve had the unfortunate luck of needing help from any of these workers, you know how crucial their service is. First responders are there when we experience a disaster, ranging from a house fire to health emergency to crime. Many times they risk their own safety to provide for ours.
They also risk their mental health. Research shows:
• Police officers and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty.
• At least 30% of first responders experience symptoms related to stress, anxiety and depression (SAD) as part of their job.
• About one in three first responders develop PTSD.
Yet Kentucky has one of the lowest-compensated first-responder work forces in the country, with EMTs’ annual salary at $29,250, firefighters’ at $34,060 and police at $46,910.
It’s important to verbally thank first responders for what they do. Everyone enjoys hearing a “thank you” for their work and care. Some like to drop off treats where the first responders work.
Some attend ceremonies and events to express appreciation, like the one at the Little Sandy Fire Department on Friday. Some thank first responders online, which helps spread the word as well as the sentiment.
Another good way to thank first responders and help ensure their appreciation in the future is to introduce your children and grandchildren to first responders, what they do and the significance of what they do.
Perhaps the best thing society can do is to fairly compensate first responders for risking their lives and their mental health to protect us.
