2020 First Responders by Globe Gazette

Everyday Real Heroes Sunday, December 20, 2020

| SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2020

COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS: EVERYDAY REAL HEROES

GLOBE GAZETTE

‘Everyday real heroes’ honored as outstanding first responders Seven North Iowans work on the front line for their communities

JERRY SMITH

jerry.smith@globegazette.com

First responders are usually the first on the scene to face challenging, dangerous, and emotion-filled situations. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the importance of these front line heroes in a way nobody could have imagined. They truly are everyday real heroes in their communities. “Community First Responders: Everyday Real Heroes” is the title of the Globe Gazette’s special section. We couldn’t have picked a better title to honor first responders and all they do for the communities in which they live and work, and most importantly serve. And we couldn’t have picked seven more deserving recipients of the Globe Gazette’s “Community First Responders” honor. America’s first responders are on the front lines working to save lives and protect communities across the nation and are indeed everyday real heroes. The recipients of the Globe Gazette’s second annual “Community First Responders” awards represent law enforcement, firefighters and emergency medical services personnel. All are vital parts of every North Iowa community. The Globe is honoring EMTs from Clear Lake, Britt, Forest City, and one who retired after serving the community of St. Ansgar for 38 years. Also receiving the honor is a Mason City police captain who has spent countless hours working for those who have mental

Everyday Real Heroes Sunday, December 20, 2020

The cover art for the Globe Gazette special section comes from the 2018 “Honoring First Responders” stamp and illustrates our everyday heroes. health and substance abuse issues to keep from having negative interactions with law enforcement by collaborating with health care providers in the area. Rounding out the honorees is a Clear Lake firefighter who is devoted to his community and who thinks of his colleagues as super heroes for all they do day in and day out. All of these everyday real heroes share a common desire to serve their communities as first responders and to help their friends and neighbors in times of need and crisis. An estimated 4.6 million career and volunteer firefighters, police, emergency medical technicians, and paramedic workers serve

communities all across the nation, according to the Department of Homeland Security. “First responders put their lives on the line to keep us safe. That’s why it’s up to every single one of us to honor their service and their sacrifices,” said Sen. Elizabeth Warren, one of the sponsors of the resolution recognizing everyday heroes on National First Responders Day, said. “I’m glad the Senate passed our bipartisan resolution to recognize first responders, and I hope Americans view every day as an opportunity to celebrate the courage and strength of these exceptional public servants in our communities.”

By the numbers

as rescuers, saving people from disasters such as collapsed buildings and car accidents, and providing emergency medical services when needed. Firefighting is not a typical nine to five job. Most fire stations have their firefighters working 24 hour shifts, and some may even work 48 hour shifts. When they are on duty they live at the station so they can always be ready to respond to an emergency call. EMTs It is estimated that there are about 900,000 emergency medical service (EMS) professionals in America, including 600,000 EMTs and about 145,000 paramedics. They provide emergency medical treatment to persons that are injured or acutely ill, and transport about 16 million patients by ambulance annually. EMTs are among the first responders and work with both firefighters and police officers that are dispatched to car accidents, house/car fires, falls, stabbings, gunshot wounds, animal bites, births, etc. There are three different levels of EMTs that require specific training. EMT- Basic, EMT- Intermediate, and Paramedic. The Paramedic is the lead member of the team and is trained in advanced life support. Paramedics interpret tests such as EKGs, provide advanced respiratory treatments, and administer IV fluids and medications to provide additional emergency pre-hospital care.

Law Enforcement There are an estimated 800,000 police officers in the United States. That “thin blue line,” as it has been called, is what stands between danger and safety, order and chaos. Too many Americans forget or take for granted that freedom without law, without some infrastructure of order, can quickly descend into turmoil and anarchy. Law enforcement personnel represent the rule of law. They protect and serve the law-abiding public from those who show contempt for society by breaking the law. Firefighters There are an estimated 1.2 million firefighters in the U.S., including about – Source: American Security Council Foundation 800,000 volunteer firefighters. There are some 30,100 fire departments in America. Jerry Smith is Special Projects Editor for Firefighters are primarily responsible for the Globe Gazette. He can be reached at fighting hazardous fires, but they also work 641-421-0556.

Olivia Stalker/Advertising Coordinator – olivia.stalker@globegazette.com

THE 2020 FIRST RESPONDERS: Beth Aschenbrenner (Clear Lake) ......................................... E3

Greg Wilderman/Circulation Director – greg.wilderman@globegazette.com

Jason Awe (Clear Lake) ......................................................... E4

Jaci Smith/Editor – jaci.smith@globegazette.com

Advertising Department: 1-800-421-0546 – advertising@globegazette.com

Mike McKelvey (Mason City) .................................................. E8

Jerry Smith/Special Projects Editor – jerry.smith@globegazette.com

Circulation Department: 1-800-433-0560 – getmyglobe@globegazette.com

Janet Johnson/Publisher – janet.johnson@globegazette.com

Kathy Falk (Saint Ansgar) ...................................................... E6 Dale Rayhons (Forest City) .................................................. E10 Katie Schlichting (Belmond) ................................................ E12 Jennifer Vaske (Britt) ........................................................... E14

COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS: EVERYDAY REAL HEROES

GLOBE GAZETTE

Beth Aschenbrenner JERRY SMITH, GLOBE GAZETTE

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2020 |

About the first responder Name: Beth Aschenbrenner Category: EMT Agency: Clear Lake Fire Department Nominator: Laurel Yost The reason: “Beth is confident and you feel comforted in her skills. She’s very humble and is very dedicated to the communities in which she serves. She’s very deserving.”

BETH ASCHENBRENNER: ‘Being a paramedic is my true love’ she said. “If we can help turn that around responder honor. and help them not have to think about that “She’s confident and you feel comforted Beth Aschenbrenner likes to get to know and make them smile, we are doing our job.” in her skills,” Yost said. “She’s very humble her patients. and is very dedicated to the communities The paramedic for the Clear Lake Fire De- The right person in which she serves. She’s very deserving.” partment says she asks those she is transLaurel Yost has known Aschenbrenner porting probing questions because she truly since she was a little girl growing up and Life-changing decision wants to know the person she is helping get playing with her boys. Yost said it is amazMore than 25 years ago, Aschenbrenner ing what her friend has accomplished. through a bad day. was working at Fleetguard in Lake Mills She also believes the conversation is a Laurel Yost has also experienced the and was contemplating a new direction in good coping mechanism for those taking calming effect of Beth Aschenbrenner. her life. She said she had taken first aid and the ambulance ride. “In mid-September, she was one of the CPR classes and wanted to “use them or “I love older people and love being able crew when I needed the ambulance,” she lose them.” to talk to them and hear their stories,” said said. “It was very good to see her come to So she decided to give working on the Aschenbrenner, who has been an EMT/ my door. To see her was such a comfort.” ambulance in Lake Mills a try, to which she paramedic for 25 years. “We can learn so Yost said she still jokes with Aschen- says, “lo and behold, here I am.” much from them. Where they grew up. brenner about poking her four times with While Aschenbrenner works full time What changes they’ve seen in their life- needles in her first ambulance ride. with the Clear Lake Fire Department’s amtimes.” “Thank God it was her that walked bulance service, she also works for the Lake With a quarter of a century of medical ex- through my door,” Yost said. Mills ambulance service on her days off. “Being a paramedic is my true love,” she perience, Aschenbrenner has come to see The former patient says Aschenbrenthat having those conversations is a way to ner is “so good” at what she does and has said. “It’s all my family has known. I started calm the patient and make the ride a little a comforting manner that puts people when my oldest son was very young. This less stressful. at ease. That is why she nominated the is me.” “We get called on a person’s worst day,” paramedic for the Globe Gazette’s first When asked if the job was rewarding, JERRY SMITH

Globe Gazette

Aschenbrenner said it was most of the time because she and other first responders are able to help people have positive outcomes. She said it’s not all doom and gloom or blood and guts like depicted on TV. “It is very rewarding when you have a nasty call and they survive and walk away with no deficiencies,” Aschenbrenner said. “It does your heart good.” As for advice to others who might be considering a life as an EMT or paramedic, Aschenbrenner simply says it’s not going to be easy, but the rewards are many. She wouldn’t change what she’s done the past 25 years for anything. “Some of my best memories and best times are with my EMS family,” Aschenbrenner said. “We lean on each other. I’ve gained some very good friends for a lifetime. We are there for each other.” Jerry Smith is sports editor and special projects editor for the Globe Gazette. You can reach him at jerry.smith@globegazette.com or by phone at 641-421-0556.

| SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2020

COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS: EVERYDAY REAL HEROES

GLOBE GAZETTE

Jason Awe JERRY SMITH, GLOBE GAZETTE

JASON AWE:

‘My colleagues are the super heroes’ JERRY SMITH

Globe Gazette

Jason Awe hasn’t been a volunteer firefighter for the Clear Lake Fire Department for very long. But since joining in 2018, it has been his passion. That alone makes Awe a super hero in the eyes of his aunt, Jayn Davis, who nominated him for the Globe’s first responder honor. “Jason has conquered many obstacles to become the man he is today,” Davis said. “He is the most resilient, strong, and caring person I know. “When he wanted to become a volunteer fireman, he took the most pride in being able to give to his community and help others who may be in need. Jason is one of the good guys out there.” Awe doesn’t consider himself a super hero by any stretch. However, he does feel that way about all of his colleagues in the department. He considers himself a small part of a big group of guys who do great work day in and day out. Awe said he just helps when he can. “I’m firefighter No. 76. That’s all I am,” the 45-year-old Awe humbly said. “There are a lot of good men here that do so much more than I do. They play a big role, and I

help when I can. These guys are the real super heroes.”

Answering the call

After moving to Clear Lake in 2018 from Ventura, Awe saw an ad calling for volunteer firefighters and jumped at the chance to sign up. He took the initial class, and the rest is history. “I wanted to do it in Ventura, but wasn’t able to work it out,” Awe said. “I do it to give back to the community I now live in.” Awe said that he is a different person than he once was in his former life, and being a part of a community is something he doesn’t take lightly. “I’m not that person anymore,” he said. “Now, I’m about helping people. And, I get to ride in a fire truck.” All joking aside, Awe said the job isn’t easy. After training for all positions on the truck and studying and going over situations that may happen on a call, the job can be taxing. “When you look at firefighters, it looks cool and it looks fun,” he said. “Everything we do is hard. There is nothing easy with any aspect. I never realized how much time

About the first responder Name: Jason Awe Category: Firefighter Agency: Clear Lake Fire Department Nominator: Jayn Davis The reason: “Jason is a very dedicated person. He has so much passion when it comes to being a firefighter.” it takes. But at the end of the day, I love it.” While Awe said training takes a lot of time, as does being on call 24 hours a day, it’s all worth it. Even considering the mental anguish the job sometimes entails. “We get to do things 90 percent of the people can’t do,” he said. “We see things 90 percent of the people don’t see, and wouldn’t want to see.” Awe said a couple of calls he went on early in his service, he started second guessing if he was cut out for the job. He said he talked to someone in the medical field and that person simply asked him if he got the job done.

“I did. The training kicked in,” Awe said. “Anxiety runs high, but you do what you were trained to do and decompress afterwards. Hearing that helped.” While Awe hasn’t been a firefighter for very long in Clear Lake, he learned early on that being a first responder is being a part of a group of people with a common cause. That’s one of his favorite things about being a volunteer firefighter. “I have a totally different respect for all firefighters because I know what they have to go through,” Awe said. “I like the brotherhood of it all, too. The fact that I can go to different towns and different stations and know we have a common ground is great and reassuring.” When people ask Awe if they should consider becoming a volunteer firefighter, his answer is simple. “Do it if you feel the calling,” he said. “I did, and I feel I’m at home there. It’s a lot of hard work, and it’s not always what you see on TV, but it’s well worth it.” Jerry Smith is sports editor and special projects editor for the Globe Gazette. You can reach him at jerry.smith@globegazette.com or by phone at 641-421-0556.

COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS: EVERYDAY REAL HEROES

Sunday, December 20, 2020 | E5

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E6 | Sunday, December 20, 2020

COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS: EVERYDAY REAL HEROES

GLOBE GAZETTE

KATHY FALK:

‘It was a long run, but it was a good run’ JERRY SMITH

Globe Gazette‌

‌Kathy Falk has given a lifetime of service to North Iowa, including nearly four decades to her community of St. Ansgar as an EMT. The 84-year-old, who recently stepped away from “the action,” said she doesn’t regret a day of working side-by-side with other dedicated first responders that always have the well-being of the community in mind. “It was a long run, but it was a good run,” Falk said. “Giving it up was the hardest thing I’ve had to do.” Sue Johnson believes it is precisely that feeling that made Falk a perfect recipient of the Globe Gazette’s first responder honor. “Kathy served St. Ansgar Rescue for 38 years,” Johnson said. “As one of the original founders, she taught CPR and served as president for a number of years. “For many of those who worked with Kathy, including me, she was a leader and a mentor, and her presence on calls was always appreciated by patients, their families and fellow rescue members.” Falk joked that she would have kept on working on the rescue crew had it not been for the years catching up with her. “The last two years I haven’t gone on as many calls, and honestly, I never felt my age until this year,” she said. “I know I can get in a ditch to help someone, but it would take a boom truck to get me out.” Johnson said Falk’s sense of humor is another thing she admires about her long-time friend. She worked with Falk for 24 years and said she’s seen firsthand how it has helped many patients in very stressful situations. “She has a great sense of humor and made the job fun,” Johnson said. “But it was her calming effect and her sense of humor that kept everyone’s morale up. She’s one of a kind.”

Community first‌

Falk taught school in Iowa for many years before becoming a founding member of St. Ansgar Rescue in 1982. She recalls coming to St. Ansgar and being a substitute teacher while on the crew.

Kathy Falk

About the first responder Name: Kathy Falk Category: EMT (retired) Agency: St. Ansgar Rescue Nominator: Sue Johnson The reason: “Kathy served St. Ansgar Rescue for 38 years. As one of the original founders, she was a leader, mentor and her presence on calls was always appreciated.” “We started out with 12 people and carried supplies in our cars,” said Falk, who noted St. Ansgar Rescue doesn’t transport patients. “They needed somebody to start a CPR class, then wanted to start a rescue crew. I took the classes and they had me. “At first I felt obligated. Then I started liking it. I really liked the people. Our community always stepped up. We live in a wonderful town.” Falk said she has always admired the dedication of those who have served and

SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE‌

Kathy Falk recently retired from St. Ansgar Rescue, after serving her community for 38 years. Falk said many of her colleagues started calling her “ma” because of how long she served. still serve on the rescue crew. She said they support one another without question. Her favorite aspect of working on the St. Ansgar Rescue crew is the dedication of the people and how they respected her knowledge and her tenure. “I loved having the support of my fellow crew members and the community,” Falk said. “It got to the point when they called me “ma.” I loved them and they loved me. You were a family.” Looking back, Falk believes the best attributes she brought to the job were her sincerity and a sense of humor, which she used as a coping mechanism for her patients and sometimes herself. Falk said she really didn’t consider work-

ing on the rescue crew a job, but instead a lifestyle and a way to give back to the community. “It was very rewarding,” she said. “You know you were helping people and they knew they could call. Our community was very thankful and they have shown it in the past and continue to show it. “I don’t think I would change anything. I’m very satisfied with my career and the crew. The people of St. Ansgar and the surrounding area are in good hands.” Jerry Smith is sports editor and special projects editor for the Globe Gazette. You can reach him at jerry.smith@globegazette.com or by phone at 641-421-0556.

COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS: EVERYDAY REAL HEROES

Sunday, December 20, 2020 | E7

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COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS: EVERYDAY REAL HEROES

GLOBE GAZETTE

Mike McKelvey JERRY SMITH, GLOBE GAZETTE

About the first responder Name: Capt. Mike McKelvey Category: Law enforcement Agency: Mason City Police Department Nominator: Debbie Abben The reason: “Mike goes above and beyond in our community to increase awareness for those who are dealing with or live with mental health and substance use disorders.”

MIKE McKELVEY:

‘We’ll continue to help the voiceless, the victims’ JERRY SMITH

Globe Gazette

Community policing is important to Mike McKelvey. A captain with the Mason City Police Department, McKelvey has been working with other members of law enforcement, as well as area health and mental health providers, to help high risk people in the community. According to McKelvey, the department received a Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program grant in 2018 for $75,000 for development of a local plan to address and promote police and mental health collaboration. McKelvey and Mason City Police Chief Jeff Brinkley were instrumental in the decision to apply for the grant, which built on the work already done to identify mental health consumers who were high-utilizers of police services. These consumers would then be supported by the community in terms of referral, medication, treatment, or family support to avoid crisis. “We started to see people in our com-

munity dealing with homelessness, mental health issues and substance abuse over and over. We were dealing with the same people,” McKelvey said. “Our goal is to decrease the amount of time with law enforcement by sharing information with the people we all deal with on a consistent basis.” McKelvey said the end game is to help limit the number of interactions with MCPD to avoid criminalizing mental illness for petty criminal offenses, reduce the chance that police would use force on a consumer, and reduce the number of times a consumer would be in jail. It’s that collaboration within the community that led Debbie Abben, the community health manager and a community benefit ministry officer at Mercy One, to nominate McKelvey for the Globe Gazette’s first responder honor. McKelvey said Abben is a contact person with MercyOne, and she gets information from him and forwards it on to various providers about the department’s “frequent flyers” to see what can be done to help them.

“Mike goes above and beyond in our community to increase awareness for those who are dealing with or live with mental health and substance abuse disorders,” Abben said in her nomination. “He collaborates within the community for the best possible solution one person at a time and demonstrates leadership to those around him by leading by example. “Mike listens and is willing to lend a hand in the most trialing situations and always looks for the best individual outcome.” The program put in place in 2018 got a major boost a year later when the department and Cerro Gordo County received a $500,000 grant award for implementation of the planning guide the department and County Social Services co-wrote a year earlier. According to McKelvey and Brinkley, there is a heavy training component to the grant and it provides additional training to law enforcement and mental health agencies in de-escalation and crisis intervention. The program is right down McKelvey’s

alley as he majored in psychology at Iowa State and was interested in the effects of abuse. What tied that to his current career was McKelvey working in campus security while attending college. Since that time, McKelvey said the trend has been to shut down psychiatric hospitals and send those people into the community with no help. He and a group of law enforcement, mental health and substance abuse providers want to be the help they need. “We can’t help everyone or solve every crime, especially those with mental health issues,” McKelvey said. “But we’ll continue to help the voiceless and help the victims. “If we can get people on the right track, some of these men and women can make strides and be productive citizens. That is the goal.” Jerry Smith is sports editor and special projects editor for the Globe Gazette. You can reach him at jerry.smith@globegazette.com or by phone at 641-421-0556.

COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS: EVERYDAY REAL HEROES

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E10 | Sunday, December 20, 2020

COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS: EVERYDAY REAL HEROES

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DALE RAYHONS:

‘You can’t put a price on serving your community’ JERRY SMITH

Globe Gazette‌

Dale Rayhons ‌ ale Rayhons grew up on the family D SUBMITTED‌ farm in Hayfield, and in addition to seeing dairy cows and farm implements, the young lad saw the ambulance pull up to the house from time to time. And while Rayhons can’t pinpoint exactly what made him want to become a paramedic later in his life, he has an inkling it might have had something to do with the care his mother received when the ambulance showed up at the family farm. “Mom was a diabetic and the ambulance was on the farm a lot,” he explained. “It was my way of giving back.” The 58-year-old Rayhons moved into Forest City from the family farm in the early 1990s and almost immediately started taking first responder classes. While it took him nearly 3 1/2 years to complete his course work, he says it was well worth the time and investment, and has led to a “long and great” career. “It was time to look at the next path in my life, and a lot of EMS work is problem-solving, which I thought I was pretty good at,” he said. “You take what is in front of you and dissect it and move forward.” Rayhons is the Paramedic Supervisor with the City of Forest City, along with being the director and president of the Forest City Ambulance Service, where there is staff enough to cover the department’s two rigs. That means Rayhons not only runs the outfit, he also is constantly in the field. Jan Buffington has known Rayhons and known of his reputation on the ambulance crew for more than a decade. Last month, she came face-to-face with him in the back of an ambulance. It’s that ride to the hospital – where she spent 13 days recovering from COVID-19 – and the care that he gave her that led to Buffington nominating Rayhons for the Globe Gazette’s first responder honor. “Dale is the face of the ambulance service, and he was one of the people who drove me to the hospital,” Buffington said. less and a really great guy. I chose Dale is dealing with the people. “When you live this far from a hospital, because he represents all that is good with Because the nearest hospital is 30 minthe ride is important. the Forest City Ambulance Service.” utes from Forest City, Rayhons said he and “He’s all business, yet caring. He’s tireRayhons said his favorite part of the job the other crew members spend a lot of

About the first responder Name: Dale Rayhons Category: EMT Agency: Forest City Ambulance Service Nominator: Jan Buffington The reason: “I am nominating Dale because he is the face of the Forest City Ambulance Service and has assembled a talented and caring staff. I know, they cared for my husband and they cared for me.” time with their patients. And as the main trainer for the service, he tells his staff that those 30 minutes are as important to the healing process as the medical care. “If I can get a patient to smile at me, it reduces the stress and it makes for a much better transport,” he said. “It’s unbelievable how reassurance and talking can do to help. When the patient is at that point, you know their anxiety level is high.” While Rayhons has the skill and experience to run an ambulance service in a larger town, he said he prefers to stay where he is. He said it never crossed his mind to look at a larger city. “Looking back, you can see the lives of the people we’ve helped,” he said. “You can’t put a price on that. It can be rough knowing all of the people in a smaller town, but you know the work you are doing is going to your own community.” Rayhons said when he is asked by someone who is considering the EMT path if they should try it, he simply tells them if they have the drive to do it, they should give it a shot. “I did and I’ve never looked back,” he said. “This is my calling. There are no two days that are the same. It has been and will always be rewarding to me.” Jerry Smith is sports editor and special projects editor for the Globe Gazette. You can reach him at jerry.smith@globegazette. com or by phone at 641-421-0556.

COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS: EVERYDAY REAL HEROES

Sunday, December 20, 2020 | E11

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E12 | Sunday, December 20, 2020

COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS: EVERYDAY REAL HEROES

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KATIE SCHLICHTING:

‘I’ve always prided myself on work ethic’ JERRY SMITH

Katie Schlichting

Globe Gazette‌

‌Katie Schlichting used to pass out at the sight of blood. The newly christened paramedic has come a long way since those days. Two decades after starting work as a receptionist at the Iowa Specialty Hospital in Belmond, seeing blood has become an every day part of the job, and one that no longer bothers Schlichting. But to see how far Schlichting has come, you have to go back to the beginning in 2000 when she was first a receptionist at the hospital. Even knowing that seeing blood made her somewhat light headed, she overcame that by volunteering at the hospital, and eventually in 2008 becoming an EMT. “They were busy at the hospital and someone asked for help,” Schlichting said. “It’s not in my nature to say no, so I started as a driver, then became an EMT in 2008. In 2016, I got my advanced EMT certification.” In 2013, Schlichting also was named service director and ambulance supervisor at the hospital. That is when Melissa Watne got to know Schlichting. It was those interactions that led Watne to nominate Schlichting for the Globe Gazette’s first responder honor. “Katie is an amazing, caring person who is in charge of the Belmond ambulance crew, a CPR instructor, and a NIACC instructor,” Watne said. “She cares deeply for all of her patients. “She helps out any family she comes across and has taken care of so many people Name: Katie Schlichting I know. Her work shines, so she’s very deCategory: EMT serving of this. All of the EMTs at the Iowa Specialty Hospital are. They all do great Agency: Ambulance Services at Iowa work and are so very caring.” Specialty Hospital in Belmond The 43-year-old Schlichting was reNominator: Melissa Watne warded for her persistence and work ethic by being certified as a paramedic late in NoThe reason: “Katie Schlichting is an vember. It’s something she has been workamazing, caring person who is in charge ing at for a long time. of the Belmond ambulance crew, a CPR “I’ve done every level, and now as a parainstructor, and a NIACC instructor. She medic,” she said. “I did it in a year while cares deeply for all of her patients.” leading a department and being on call. I also teach EMT classes at NIACC. I’ve always prided myself on work ethic.” ambulance driver is very rewarding, but not Schlichting said the job of paramedic and for everyone. She believes that being in a

About the first responder

small community where everybody knows everybody else has its advantages and disadvantages. “This is where I want to be right now,” she said. “It’s fun and rewarding, and I like helping people. I like to think when I respond, they know I’m there to help them. Hopefully, they are comforted by me being there.” Schlichting said she has been asked many times whether or not somebody should embark on a journey as an EMT or paramedic. She gets that question on the job and as an instructor at NIACC. Her answer is always the same. “If you want to help and give back, it is very rewarding,” she tells them. “The downside is you have to sometimes miss functions, meals, sleep. The nights blend together. But you don’t do it for yourself,

you do it for everybody else.” Schlichting also tells those who ask her about the worst things she’s encountered on the job that it’s best to learn from those, but don’t dwell on them. “We’re there on the best days of their lives and the worst days of their lives,” she said. “Most of the time it is the worst day. I hope I can put them at least a little at ease and make a terrible day a little better. “I never thought in a million years this is where I would end up,” said Schlichting, who has an accounting degree from Hamilton College. “But I can’t think of anything I’d rather be doing than helping other people.” Jerry Smith is sports editor and special projects editor for the Globe Gazette. You can reach him at jerry.smith@globegazette.com or by phone at 641-421-0556.

COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS: EVERYDAY REAL HEROES

Sunday, December 20, 2020 | E13

GLOBE GAZETTE

Salutes and thanks all first responders, healthcare workers, and other essential personnel during this most uncertain times we are living in.

Thank You First Responders We appreciate your service and dedication to our community.

2650 4th St. SW, Mason City, IA 50401

641-423-7638

IMT SALUTES FIRST RESPONDERS. Thank you for your service to our communities.

451 S. Illinois Ave., Mason City, IA 50401

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900 Central Ave., Northwood, IA 50459

641-324-1023

E14

| SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2020

COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS: EVERYDAY REAL HEROES

GLOBE GAZETTE

JENNIFER VASKE:

‘I feel like I’m making a difference every day’ JERRY SMITH

Globe Gazette

The COVID-19 pandemic enveloping North Iowa and the country has changed a lot of things in Jennifer Vaske’s work life. Vaske is a paramedic on the West Hancock Ambulance Service and has faceto-face encounters with patients almost every day. While procedures and protocols have changed because of the pandemic, one thing will always be a constant for Vaske. “I’m helping people every day and that is something that is special to me,” she said. “When we are there, we’re seeing patients in one of the worst moments of their lives and you are there to help them through these times. There is a feel-good factor knowing you helped someone.” It’s that spirit of helping others that led Jan Drabek to nominate Vaske for the Globe Gazette’s first responder honor. “Jenn is a paramedic for the West Hancock Ambulance Service and has been for many years,” Drabek said in her nomination. “She is a very sweet, caring, honest, trustworthy, loyal and knows what to do and when. She has held the [ambulance service] together when the number of volunteers dropped and does pretty much all of the administrative duties.” Back in her youth, the 38-year-old Vaske wasn’t really intending to go to school to be a paramedic. The opportunity just sort of presented itself, she said. In 2004, Vaske moved back to Hancock County from Louisiana and started volunteering for the ambulance service at the behest of a co-worker pretty much right away. That spark turned into a flame and she was hooked. “The first couple of rides I was in,” she said. “It’s an adrenaline rush. I decided to get my EMT license intending to volunteer to help the community. I was not intending to go to school for this.” Content on volunteering and having her EMT certification for eight years, Vaske decided to take the next step. In 2012, she was certified as a paramedic and started working full time on the West Hancock Ambulance Service. She doesn’t regret taking the next step.

Jennifer Vaske SUBMITTED PHOTO

About the first responder Name: Jennifer Vaske Category: EMT Agency: West Hancock Ambulance Service Nominator: Jan Drabek The reason: “Jenn is a paramedic specialist who is very sweet, caring, honest, trustworthy and loyal. She has held the West Hancock Ambulance Service together when the number of volunteers dropped.”

“You either love it or you hate it,” she ease no matter the situation.” said. “I love it. I feel like I’m making a difference every day. I get to interact with COVID-19 factor people. I think of myself as a people person Vaske said now more than ever that and I like to think I’m able to put people at patients are scared, especially in light of

the growing number of cases in Hancock County and the state. Because of this added stressor in peoples’ lives, Vaske is very mindful of toeing the line between safety and the comfort and well-being of patients, both physically and mentally. The Britt paramedic said that the crew comes in full gear if there is a chance that a patient might have COVID-19 or has been exposed to someone who might have it. But sometimes when they show up in full gowns, shields and masks, that is startling and stressful on the patient. “I worry all of the time. We have to have our guard up,” Vaske said. “But at the same time, when we show up in full gear, we are sometimes scaring our patients.” Vaske believes the pandemic is taking a huge toll on health care workers and their ability to do their jobs as effectively. “What has really gone away as a result of the pandemic is you don’t have that close interaction with patients, or the contact like holding their hand to comfort them anymore,” she said. “A lot of these patients are alone and are more scared now than ever. It’s a shame because that interaction is a part of the healing process.” Jerry Smith is sports editor and special projects editor for the Globe Gazette. You can reach him at jerry.smith@globegazette. com or by phone at 641-421-0556.

COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS: EVERYDAY REAL HEROES

Sunday, December 20, 2020 | E15

GLOBE GAZETTE

Thank You First Responders

Thank You To All Our First Responders!

No words seem adequate to express out admiration and gratitude for the brave men and women who run towards danger to selflessly save others -

our thoughts & prayers are with you.

Appreciate We Apprecia Everything you do.

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EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS

EMT

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www.JaneFischer.com

E16 | Sunday, December 20, 2020

COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS: EVERYDAY REAL HEROES

GLOBE GAZETTE

We salut e the he ro es oF n or th ioWa

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