By Kristi Antley
Despite the wide range of vital and skilled services that first responders provide, their contributions and expertise are often unknown, misunderstood, or overlooked. Even those receiving active services do not understand this broad community and its full range of capabilities and resources. Its members stand ready and willing to provide lifesaving services 24 hours a day, seven days a week for both natural and man-made disasters, hazards, and emergencies. The essential responsibilities of first responders (not limited to, but including emergency medical technicians and dispatchers, paramedics, search and rescue personnel, firefighters, police officers, etc.), are very strenuous in many different mental, physical, and emotional aspects, both long and short-term. The superior level of support and attention given by the County of Lexington and its first responders is overwhelming. Our Town Magazine is honored for the opportunity to recognize their dedication and bring awareness to our community.
Terri Bushman has been a Training Staff Sergeant with Lexington County EMS (Emergency Medical Services) for a little over a year. “I’d been in EMS for 7 years and had been a paramedic for 5 years. This job offered me a chance to keep running calls, but to do it from a different perspective.” Supervising and directing personnel in a dangerous, exhausting, high-pressure environment takes a toll on even the most prepared person.
“My poor husband gets to listen to all my grievances,” she says. “He is extremely supportive and tells me frequently how proud he is of me and the job I do; he thinks all of EMS is amazing!” Sergeant Bushman and her husband are delighted that their daughter joined Lexington County EMS last year.
Steven Cannon, Battalion Chief, has been with the Lexington County Fire Service for almost twenty years. Other than being the incident commander and safety officer on major incidents such as structure fires, forest fires, and vehicle accidents, he manages nine stations and their employees. “Dealing with the emotional and psychological components of the position comes with having someone you trust that you can talk with,” Chief Cannon explains. “There could have been a serious call that had a fatality or a call that you felt should have gone a little better.”
Despite their willingness to serve, there is often not enough time to recover and decompress between traumatic events for first responders. They may feel unable to ask for help or recognize their own problems, let alone distinguish their experience from the perceived norm associated with their occupation. As Chief Cannon remarks, improvements are being made as the County grows and infrastructure expands further into rural areas. “The past few years have brought more per-
sonnel to the floor, and the department is growing. We now have aerial monitoring devices throughout the County, as well as two more stations that are getting ready to start building.”
Recruits are always needed, as Matt Davis, Assistant Chief of Police for the Town of Lexington explains, “Unlike 25 years ago, virtually every law enforcement organization in the nation is struggling to acquire and maintain a full complement of police officers. We as a department are trying several different avenues to cope with this issue,” Chief Davis continues. “The first is that we have completed a study on what other local and state agencies are paying their officers. Second, we are looking for new places to recruit candidates from, and third, we have changed police culture, meaning that officers are allowed to take their vehicles home.”
Thomas W. Griffin, Chief of Police for the Town of Chapin, started his career in law enforcement almost 14 years ago with the West Columbia Police Department. He was honored to be appointed in his hometown of Chapin 2 years ago and agrees that recruitment and retention are vital to having a strong force. “To put it simply, this job isn’t for everyone. Being a police officer in Chapin, or anywhere in South Carolina, it is often hard to walk through a store or sit down to eat, without being interrupted and thanked for our service,” Chief Griffin remarks. “This shows that the perceived public opinion is not always true in your local communities. The outpouring of support for our officers from the community of Chapin has been nothing short of stellar.”
The presence of local first responder personnel ensures the safety and well-being of the population at large. How can we, as a community, reduce burnout, fatigue, or other issues associated with being overworked, uncertain, or stressed for these humble servants? You can drop a note in the mail, volunteer your time, post a glowing review on social media, share and sponsor local events, or deliver treats and/or gift cards to your local public service officers. Simply being recognized, acknowledged, and appreciated is guaranteed to bring a smile to each of their faces!
Thank you for your service!
