THANKS to EMTs

On Monday we said THANKS to Firefighters.  Tuesday we said THANKS to Police Officers.

Today we say THANKS to EMTs everywhere!!

EMTs have a demanding job.  Did you know an EMS event occurs every single second in the USA?  That's a lot of medical emergencies ... 36 million per year to be exact!

In fact, nearly 70% of all calls to a Fire Department are medical calls.  And despite tightening budgets, the public still expects very fast response times.

EMTs have a surprisingly dangerous job, considering the potentials attacks they face from violent patients and bystanders.  The big question is whether EMTs and Firefighters should carry guns.

EMTs are a vital part of the Public Safety community that serves the public tirelessly - both On-the-job and Off-duty.  For example, this Off-duty EMT bravely paid the ultimate price this year while reportedly protecting two women who were being threatened.

In a bit of good news, New York officials are pursuing new legislation to provide better legal protection for EMTs and Paramedics.

Throughout the chaos and devastation of Superstorm Sandy, many EMTs conducted life-saving rescues.

And at least one EMT competed in the 2012 London Olympics this year!

So this week, we say THANKS to EMTs everywhere!!

THANKS to Police Officers

Yesterday we said THANKS to Firefighters.

Today we say THANKS to Police Officers everywhere!

Police Officers have one of the most stressful and dangerous jobs.  But I don't ever remember hearing a Police Officer complain about that.  They protect the public - both On-the-job and while Off-duty.

At least one Police Officer went to the 2012 London Olympics.  And thousands of them compete annually in the Police & Fire Games.

Police Officers are strong and resilient.  No matter the challenges they face, Police Officers find ways to overcome obstacles - like the one this local officer faced following a devastating car accident that put him in a coma for 28 days.

Police Officers never know what to expect when they go to work.  They get called out on randomly occurring events - like when the accelerator in this woman's car stuck to the floor and forced her car to more than 100 MPH for 35 minutes!

Police Officers are a vital link on the team of First Responders that support each community.  Ask this man in Oregon and he'll tell you he wouldn't be alive with the First Responders who came to his rescue, including a Police Officer who was the first on the scene.

And as if their On-the-job duties weren't challenging enough, these Officers also perform at a high level when they're Off-duty.  This NYPD Officer took it upon himself to protect the public while Off-duty.  At times, these Officers also pay the ultimate price because they genuinely care for the people they serve.

So this week, we say THANKS to Police Officers everywhere!!

Off-Duty Heroes

You know we love American Heroes!!

Some serve in the US Military.  Some are Veterans.  Others are Police, Fire and EMS personnel.  Still others are Off-duty.  Like Michael Wolff, a police officer in Henderson, NV.

Officer Wolff was simply getting a Starbucks coffee when he walked into an active robbery.  A man behind the counter was emptying out the cash register with a gun in hand.

Wolff was Off-duty, but he showed his badge and his own firearm, and he ordered the robber to stop.  The robber dropped his gun and ran out the front door... err, literally through the door!

The glass broke and lacerated the robber.  But Officer Wolff arrested him and no one was injured.

These American Heroes are amazing!  They accept the risks inherent to showing up for work.  And then they keep serving the public in their own spare time!!

Reminds me of a similar story from last year.  Off-duty LAPD Officer Joe Jarrett took his wife to a restaurant in Hollywood.  He quickly realized a dangerous situation was unfolding in the kitchen - a man with a 10-inch knife was threatening a worker and had her cornered.  Officer Jarrett pulled his firearm and identified himself.  He deescalated the situation and took the man into custody.

Officer Jarrett said, "I honestly think I just did what any LAPD officer, or any law enforcement officer from anywhere would do.  I just did my job."

Another American Hero!!