By Linda Mowery-Denning
Ellsworth County Independent Reporter – November 21, 2013
Submitted by Newz Group Clipping Service – November 26, 2013
About a half-dozen people stood up Sunday night to thank Ellsworth County’s first responders for the work they do to protect residents from fire, injury and other calamities.
Another 100 or so listened to the tributes and later joined the first responders in prayer.
The event organized by the Ellsworth County Ministerial Alliance filled the garage of the Ellsworth Fire Station.
The almost hour-long tribute opened with the sound of a high pitched community page, a dispatcher’s call to duty and a skit in which first responders from different agencies answered a call for help. Included were representatives from the police, sheriff’s department, Emergency Medical Service, Kansas Highway Patrol, Ellsworth County Medical Center and Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.
Ellsworth County’s emergency management director Keith Haberer was master of ceremonies.
“What you saw here tonight was teamwork,” he said following the skit. “It’s each person doing their own job for the same goal–and that is to save lives.”
At the urging of Haberer, people in the audience took the microphone to share their experiences: the care and consideration of emergency medical technicians as they responded to an elderly woman who had fallen and hit her head on a kitchen counter: the calm professionalism of Ellsworth firefighters and others as they pulled a driver and her young passenger from a wreck that could have ended tragically.
“The main thing is to say thank you…Just pat them on the back and say thank you for the job they do,” said Ellsworth County resident Earl Jones.
The event ended with first responders forming a circle in the front of the garage and the audience surrounding them for a prayer provided by Amy Jo Hawley, pastor of Ellsworth’s First Presbyterian Church.
“God of power to protect and save, send your blessings on these servants, who generously devote themselves to helping others. Grant them courage when they are afraid, wisdom when they must make quick decisions, strength when they are weary and compassion in all their work…”
The prayer was written on cards so people could take them home.
“We wanted something to pull everybody together,” said Exie Barber, pastor of the First Assembly of God Church and a volunteer firefighter.
He said the goal of Sunday night’s gathering was two-fold; express appreciation to the county’s first responders and show residents how well everyone works together, regardless of job or agency.
“We’re very blessed in that aspect,” Barber said.
He said he was pleased with the turnout and expects the appreciation event to continue. The next time Barber said he hopes to attract more first responders from other Ellsworth County towns.
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