Thank You Volunteers!

Who do you call when your love one is sick, has fallen or has a life or death emergency? Of course, everyone calls 9-1-1 and talks to a dispatcher who tries to get as much information as he/she can so help can be sent. But who shows up? In Seeley Lake, Ovando, Condon and Potomac, it is your neighbor, the person you see at the grocery store or someone you say hello to at the Post Office.

Owning the paper for the past three years, Nathan and I have gotten to know our local volunteer firefighters, medical responders and Search and Rescue volunteers. We’ve seen the time commitment they give to training, during calls and the dedication and service they offer our community. However, the reality of the sacrifice and commitment that they make did not hit home until it was us that called 9-1-1 at 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning.

Four Seeley Lake volunteers along with the Seeley Lake Fire Chief showed up at our house when our little girl decided to make a grand entrance five weeks early. They safely transported us to Missoula in the ambulance on some of the iciest roads there have been recently.

As I was lying in the back of the ambulance, the Chief asked the two volunteers if they had time to make the trip into town. Without hesitation they both said there was no problem despite the fact that one had to work the morning shift at her job.

I’ve heard people complain about the ambulance taking eight minutes to get from the station to the south end of town. My response to this is that only eight minutes is impressive!

They are all volunteers who get the call, drop what they are doing, drive to the station, get their gear, get in the ambulance or fire engine, and then respond.

How long would it take you to leave work or wake from a deep sleep and do all those things AND be ready to tackle an emergency when you respond?

I don’t often express my appreciation for those in our communities that give of their time, energy, sleep and time with their families to help the rest of us whenever we need it. Next time you see someone with a Seeley Lake, Potomac, Ovando or Condon volunteer firefighter or EMS t-shirt or Search & Rescue apparel thank them! They don’t get paid. They do it because they love the community.

It’s because they are willing to put in the time and get the training that I’m still here to say THANK YOU Seeley Lake Volunteers. And I can do it with my husband and new baby girl!