I will always remember my first mountain rescue. We moved very quickly immediately after we received the call at the station. The rescue was difficult given the location and the condition of the patient. He had sustained a head injury and had an altered level of consciousness. The firefighters donned their gear, and before long, we were at the base of Camelback Mountain, ready to go up to marker 31. Marker 31 was deep into the trail at an elevation of approximately 2700 feet. The gear and equipment were bulky and heavy. Like a well-choreographed performance, everyone assumed their positions, ready to complete the mission. The team hiked swiftly to get to the patient. The helicopter for air rescue was humming from above ready to take action as the team approached. As I tried to keep up with the swift pace set by the firefighters, I could not help but wonder what motivated them? They are woken up at irregular hours of the night, tasked to respond to a dangerous situation, and spend a lot of time away from their families.
The answer was clear to me by the time we descended. We were tired, yet in good spirits. The patient was transported onto the helicopter and headed to the hospital. There was a sense of pride, joy and comradery. The exhaustion from the rescue did not stop the high fives and fist pumps.
Before the sunset, we were on the truck again, eager for a warm meal, but the all too familiar radio sounded and another call came through: fire alarm.
My experience at Station 12 taught me many invaluable lessons. Working side by side with the team, I realized that people become trapped in vulnerable situations for different reasons. Sometimes, it is the result of their imprudent actions. Sometimes, they are victims of unfortunate circumstances. Others are caught in a perfect storm of nature and human error. Whatever the situation, firefighters are there to rescue the patient and help him or her through it. They instill confidence and assurance when people are at their most vulnerable. They take pride in serving the community and help us when we are most in need. No matter the time of the day or night, whether it’s battling blazes, rescuing people from dangerous situations, or caring for someone with chest pain, first responders keep us safe.
Mei So is a medical student in the class of 2019 at The University of Arizona College of Medicine- Phoenix. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The University of Arizona. She enjoys cooking, hiking, and drinking tea.