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CLPD Newsletter 2011
<br /> romanticized on television and in the ., �
<br /> movies, the real life tasks that we face
<br /> e ch 11 re
<br /> h :, � . „
<br /> 's
<br /> ar allen in and usua '
<br /> g g Y P th'
<br /> unpleasant, e.g. restraining violent
<br /> subjects, talking to distraught *'
<br /> individuals, fighting fires, attending to
<br /> the sick and injured, etc. �
<br /> Firefighters, medics, and trained
<br /> volunteers rarely face bad guys. What
<br /> they do face is fire, hazardous
<br /> Partners in Public Safety materials, the sick, the distraught, and
<br /> By: Chief Coan the injured. That too takes great out. It was the single worst disaster
<br /> courage, compassion, and poise under for the Fire Service since 9/11.
<br /> At a recent ceremony held in Sometimes we are thrust into
<br /> pressure. We do not always
<br /> recognition of the work of our nation's situations where we must act in close
<br /> appreciate what each other does or
<br /> first responders, the Vice President of coordination and cooperation with one
<br /> how much we really rely on one
<br /> the United States commented that another. another. A prime example that was
<br /> "issues of homeland security, natural close to home for us was the 35W
<br /> For example, although I have never
<br /> or man-made disasters, and the daily Bridge collapse in Minneapolis.
<br /> actually fought a fire, I have
<br /> emergencies that are part of every day Police, Fire, EMS, Rescue, and
<br /> completed firefighter training. As
<br /> reality reminds us of the importance of volunteers reacted in a combined and
<br /> such, I have a fairly good appreciation
<br /> public safety professionals," be they collaborative effort to deal with a
<br /> for some of the challenges and risks
<br /> firefighters, police officers, medics, �at firefighters face. I was large scale disaster that impacted their
<br /> reserve and community service entire community.
<br /> profoundly reminded of this a few
<br /> officers, dispatchers, or community The emergency services providers
<br /> years ago when the Charleston, South
<br /> emergency response team members Carolina Fire Department responded � our three cities are all elements of a ,
<br /> (CERT). to a warehouse fire on the outskirts of "front line" which serves to maintain a I
<br /> In a past edition of POLICE sense of safety, security, and stability '
<br /> their city. Upon arrival, firefighters
<br /> magazine, author David Griffith wrote entered the buming building to rescue for our citizens. Although we already
<br /> that "courage and dedication to duty have a very good working relationship
<br /> trapped workers and to fight the huge
<br /> defines all first responders, whether blaze. Nine firefighters never came with one another, we must continue to
<br /> they carry a gun, an axe, or a medical strengthen mutual support and I
<br /> bag." He was referring to the collaboration with the Lexington Fire
<br /> common characteristics shared by Department, the Centennial Fire
<br /> those serving in the public safety j � "�� District, our DepartmenYs Community
<br /> profession, e.g. courage, compassion, Emergency Response Team (CERT},
<br /> dedication to duty, etc. - traits shared other local law enforcement agencies,
<br /> by both full-time personnel and and the county-wide Emergency
<br /> volunteers. ( Management initiative.
<br /> During accidents, fires, or dozens At the same time we must always
<br /> of other instances, police officers, appreciate one another and the jobs
<br /> firefighters, dispatchers, medics, and that we all do in service to our cities
<br /> trained volunteers are called upon to and to our citizens. The greater the
<br /> not only assist the victims of a appreciation and the stronger ow
<br /> particular emergency, but each other partnerships, the better prepared we
<br /> as well. We share a common bond are to protect our communities. §
<br /> and the need to support one another in
<br /> critical situations.
<br /> Although our work is often
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