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What do I do for a living?
I have, what I think, is the best
job in the world.
Currently, I serve as Commander
of a privatized rescue team. Most of our responses involve the
location of missing and overdue outdoor types in remote locations,
rescue in remote or inaccessible locations, and back-up response to
fires, medical emergencies, and accidents where special, technical
rescue skills and equipment are required.
At this time, we have four teams,
located in four stations spread out in Kentucky. Very few of our
responses see us as the "agency in charge". A good way to
look at us, is the same way a business might view an outside
contractor or consultant. We assist when asked by a fire, rescue, or
EMS organization, and on rare occasion, may assist a police
department if the incident is NOT related to a crime.
Our 73 person organization also
responds to full blown disasters, as one task force to assist in the
organization and execution of rescue and relief efforts.
Representatives of our team have responded to the wildfires in
California, and most recently, Florida. We have responded to tornado
strikes in Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, and several other states
as well. A couple of times a year, we also wind up on stand-by,
waiting for hurricanes to make landfall. So far, we've been lucky and
haven't had to be activated for a hurricane strike, as most coastal
areas do an excellent job of evacuation ahead of the game.
Our team motto is...
"Anytime, Anywhere,
Any Emergency"
I'm very lucky, to have some of
the very best in the fire, rescue, and emergency medical communities,
working for me. They always make me look a hell of a lot better than
I deserve, and really, words just can't describe how I truly feel
about them all.
I got into the business, first
through my father, who was a smoke-jumper for many years. I learned a
lot from him, and enjoyed a year of service as a forest firefighter
before being selected to apply for the team I am now in charge of.
My husband, was the first
Commander of this group, which will be entering its 10th year of
existence in the year 2000. After he chose to retire and become an
inactive reservist, I was voted by the team to take over where he
left off.
(That was before we got married)
Since that day, almost two years
ago, I've been delighted and saddened. I've also known the pain of
losing two of my men in the line of duty, one of which passed on just
a couple of days ago in an ambulance accident.
In a job like mine... reality
checks come on a daily basis... I live my life for a lot of
extremes... I try out a lot of things, and notice many little things
that most people don't even give a second thought to. I'd be lying if
I said I always got a good nights' sleep. All it takes, is one moment
of carelessness on someone's part, and someone might pay for that
with their life. I've watched that happen too...
That's why I do relish life like
I do... because I know better than most, it's better to savor the
adventure that life is now... because tomorrow just might not be
there for me when I get there. It doesn't matter the job I'm in...
I've seen people die for just walking down the same sidewalk that a
reckless driver wound up on.
My advice for you, right now, is
to look around you... let someone know you care... take your child
someplace fun, or give your spouse that extra bit of attention you
know they deserve... We only get one shot at this life... and it
would be a real shame if something went wrong, and we died without
making the most of the time we have. |
      
E-mail me at
pgabby@softhome.net |
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