Why did you become a First Responder?

[First Responders]

Tell everyone why you became a First Responder.

[Raynman]

Lets get this thing rollen! I'm not really sure why. I ask myself that alot. I guess it seemed like the right thing to do 25 years ago. What could make you feel better then taking on a thankless job protecting the community in which you live in.

[Dianna]

I think it was just a calling for me. I love nursing and I love working with firefighters and EMS.
I had worked in an office environment and hated it. I was bored with business meetings and sitting at a desk. I was in an auto accident a few years ago and I was stuck with my two young daughters, upside down, in my car. People pulled over and just stared. I was screaming for help. Who do you think finally helped us get out? A firefighter/EMS who was just passing by.
I told myself that I never wanted to be one of those people who won't help.

[Joe]

First of all let me say I am one of eleven siblings, #9 I am. My oldest Brother became a Police Officer first and I guess the majority followed. I was the last and 7th member of my family to become a Police Officer. We all enjoy and love helping those in need. I am the last one still standing, the rest are retired and enjoying life as best as they can. As we all know it takes a special person to do what we do. (FIRST RESPONDERS) I have been in this profession overall 19 years and counting, 7 more before I can start collecting my pension. I have 4 children, 3 Daughters and a Son. My oldest (Son) proudly served in the U.S.M.C. and is home safe now. Our prayers and thoughts go out daily to all our troops and my fellow FIRST RESPONDERS. Everyone who reads this be safe and thanks for being there.

[JEFF MCGROARTY]

BACK IN 1981 MY BEST FRIEND ANDHIS 3 BROTHERS DIED IN A HOUSE FIRE AND MY UNCLE WAS A FIREFIGHTER

[Brad Clark]

It was just a calling since I was a kid. I have always loved the job as a Firefighter and then became more involved with the EMS side of the house. When I was younger back in the early 70's I would always sneek out of the house to ride my bike where ever the fire trucks would go and from there on I have been hooked

[MadeRetirement]

Like Dianna said, I truly believe being a police officer was a calling for me. I always wanted to be a police officer but due to some problems I didn't start untill I was 26 years old. I retired when I was 61, spent 15 years in a patrol unit and my last 20 years as a motor officer. I considered myself blessed to have been in a profession that allowed me to "Protect, Help And Care" about other people. Sometimes fellow officers would ask me, why do you help people so much? I told them, if you have to ask me that then you don't know the feeling you get when you help others.
I would tell my rookies that you should treat people with the "Golden Rule," until they showed they didn't deserve it, then you could choke them out if need be. Above all protect yourself first.

[DeDe Crofts]

I have wanted to do something in the medical field for a while, so when the opportunity arose, i took it. Boy am i glad i did. I love being an emt intermediate and hope to one day soon become a paramedic. I truly feel i was "called" to do this. What a feeling it is when you can make a difference in someones life, even if all you do is listen to them and make them feel like someone cares. I always try to take care of people the way i would want my family taken care of.

[Pete]

Okay, I'm really dating myself! How many of you have heard this one? I grew up watching EMERGENCY! Johnny & Roy!!! Since then, firefighting is something I've wanted to pursue, but I wouldn't have the opportunity until I was 29 when I became a volunteer firefighter. I do have to give major kudos to the members of my department who wouldn't let me quit those 8 long years ago when I was going through our basic in-house training academy. thanks to them and a lot of faith, I got through. Now, 8 years later, I wouldn't trade my experiences for anything.

[James]

It started back in S.E. Asia 67-69 I am a Viet Nam Vet. My attitude is ... "Nobody dies in MY foxhole!"
I have been saving lives ever since.

[angelica9884]

I am so glad that I join first respond, I finally have others who understand what I do for a living, I love law enforcement, I have been in this career for over 15 years. When I had a problem that occurred on the job, I could never talk to anyone, no one in my family understood what I did, they hated the fact that I had chose this career. There are some families don’t understand what we do.
Most of the time people who are not in the same line of work, that cannot appreciate what we do, how much we be devoted our time and care for our job.

[Matt Mead]

I became a First Responder to help my community, I have always been a type of person to help somebody else in time of need. I wanted to become a firefighter since a young age, when my chance to join the fire service came up I had to jump at it. It is hard to believe that was in 1989 when I started. I met my wife on the department and now my son is a fourth generation firefighter and I have a daughter who is part of the Ladies Auxiliary. One other factor would be I too grew up watching Johnny and Roy on Emergency. I have had many great mentors in my career which I am very thankful for.

[Joe]

I remember standing outside a circle of police officers and wondering what was going on, I was about 12 years old and I said to myself if I want to find out I have to become one of these guys. I joined the Military, went into special operations, got out and joined the police force, I have had careers in NYPD, The US Veterans Administration, The Dept of Defense, The US Treasury and now I am working for the US State Department performing missions in Iraq as a International police instructor. Its been a long run and I am still moving to the beat.