Randy Cassingham's Blog

Posted by C Good, Floweree, Montana on August 28, 2009:

Wow!! That would be a rough weekend for anyone!

And thank you for volunteering. I live in a rural county too and volunteers make a big difference.

Posted by Aaron, Georgia on August 28, 2009:

I've been a subscriber for years and I've read about your other jobs, especially this one, for what seems like forever. It does indeed take a special kind of person to go out and do something like this. My aunt, uncle, Dad and a cousin were all, at several points in time, part of the EMS system in their home county, not just the Ambulance Squad but the Rescue Squad and Volunteer Fire Department all. My heart goes bump every time I see you post about something like this, hoping from afar that all turns out as best as possible.

Thanks for doing this, my man, you are a wonder!

Posted by Ron, Ohio on August 28, 2009:

I know what you are talking about. I don't respond anymore. Did that for over 20 years as a volunteer firefighter/emt. Thank you for serving us.

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You too, Ron -- I "only" have about 9 years in so far. You deserve to rest now! -rc

Posted by Ann, Illinois on August 28, 2009:

Thank goodness for Volunteers like yourself and especially your Wife. I could not imagine being traumatized like that and having no one there to console me.

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Yeah, I was really glad she was there, and able to handle such things. -rc

Posted by Kathy, Florida on August 28, 2009:

As a former EMT (in my younger days), I understand what two serious calls can do to you, both physically and mentally, especially when they happen so close together. Thanks for your continued service - those folks in Colorado don't know how blessed they are to have volunteers like you and Kit. I hope they never have to find out first-hand.

Posted by Carol, Tucson AZ on August 28, 2009:

I have spent most of my life volunteering, but nothing like this! Thank you and all the others who do this kind of volunteer work. I'm sure it can be rewarding, but never easy work. Thanks again for being there.

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We all do (or should!) help our communities in different ways; it doesn't have to be this dramatic. It all helps, so I'm glad you're doing your part too. -rc

Posted by Russell, Adelaide, South Australia on August 28, 2009:

I understand what that can be like, although in a slightly different scenario. I am a volunteer with the State Emergency Service here in SA. Those of us in metro units tend not to attend incidents like this too often, although the rural units do on many occasions. We are kept busy in the city though.

Monday just gone I worked from 5am till 3pm, then came home only to go out 2 hours later when my pager went off. We had been having a lot of severe weather over the last 24 hours. I was out until after 2am, came home, got dressed and drove straight to work for another 8 hours. Our unit attended about 100 tasks in a 3 day period, and we are all volunteers.

It can be extremely tiring at times, but is extremely rewarding and I wouldn't give it up for anything.

Posted by Deby, Co on August 28, 2009:

I know what you go through on these types of calls, as I was the same way. I would react to what was needed, but when things settled down, and others grieving needed to be helped, my tears probably would have not helped them at all. I am unable now to do any of this that I enjoyed, because of health issues, but I will forever feel a part of what volunteers do and go through, and I am always so proud of what they accomplish for those in need. May you always be able to assist in your wonderful way, and so, too, may your wonderful wife, be able to help those in pain. We need folks who are capable of compassion and comfort and God Bless ALL who provided it in whatever way they can.

Posted by George, Ouray, Colorado on August 28, 2009:

Randy, let me tell you, as one who is more on the "other side" of calls, such as driver, go-fer, and Chaplain, we are grateful for the work you and Kit and the rest of the crew do. I am continually amazed at how you guys remember the things you remember; the key questions about health history, etc. It's a real thrill for me on the way to calls to hear the EMT's in the back prepping themselves with the "what to remember" things: i.e. backboard, heart monitor, etc. All I need to remember is to log times and get my directions right. However, I have done this and ministry long enough to know it takes us all working together. Great to be on the same team with you all!

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George is a driver for the Ouray Ambulance, the "other unit" in the county (I usually work with the nearby Ridgway Ambulance). But more importantly, George is one of the local ministers who helps out with stress -- it doesn't matter whether it's the patient who is in need, or their families, or the EMTs, he's there for us all. He probably would have been on our motorcycle call, but he was at the other call I mentioned, the ATV rollover!

George, you have to remember something more important than the directions: you have to give injured people a smooth ride, sometimes in terrible conditions. It's something I was good at when I was a medic in California, and believe me: when we're riding in the back and don't get it, we're well aware we're not! So thanks for the multiple ways you provide service. -rc

Posted by David, Memphis, TN on August 28, 2009:

One of the many reasons I don't ride bikes anymore. Thanks for doing what you do, Randy.

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It is the very rare bike accident that I've been to in my 9 years in EMS that the rider wasn't at fault -- either going too fast for conditions (e.g., coming up on cars stopped to turn), doing something stupid (one I went to was a guy who decided to drag race a bigger bike up the freeway onramp; he woke up lying face-up -- in the freeway's "fast" lane! How he didn't get run over I'll never know!), etc. Yeah, sometimes the rider is totally innocent, and that sucks, but it's pretty rare, considering! But, you have to go with what you're comfortable with. Once I posted this, I finally felt good enough to go on a quick 50-mile evening ride. -rc