Quietly Heroic
Christchurch is in the middle of a living nightmare having just barely started to recover from the last earthquake they are now reeling from the devastation of another. It is estimated that there are at least two hundred and forty people who died as a result, with scores more injured and even more homeless and jobless. It is a tragedy that has left World’s End reeling from the shock and horror. Not one single person has been left unaffected by this; even the Mauritian and I have been glued to the television or radio waiting for updates, hoping for some good news. There were lots of stories of “close escapes” and survival in the first two days after the “quake” but since then only heartache as the death toll slowly climbs higher with each passing day. Within hours of the “quake” Urban Search and Rescue teams (USAR) were despatched from all over Worlds End to help in the search for survivors, by the following morning there were teams from Australia arriving and still more from the States and Japan on their way. Add to that the police and fire service here and there is now nearly seven hundred men and women from around the world performing the daunting task of sifting through the rubble to find people who are trapped.
For just over a week now these selfless people have put their lives on the line for the sake of others, those from Christchurch putting the safety of strangers first before their own families. In an interview on the evening following the quake a paramedic said that he was just doing what he was trained to do and that keeping busy helped him to cope. How does one put aside the concern for one’s family and show compassion and empathy to those strangers around him? I for one think that is an awesome sacrifice. I heard about one man who had managed to get into a rather tight squeeze just to make eye contact with a survivor and while his team mates dug around them he stayed with her holding her hand and just being with her for nearly two hours. WOW! During an interview he was shifting from foot to foot and looking back towards the work site all the while trying to be courteous and answer the questions and tell his story. The interviewer eventually remarked that it was obvious the rescuer wanted to get back on the job. The rescuer responded that there is nothing more motivating then a successful rescue, the adrenaline is pumping and the only aim is to find and rescue someone else. What was most remarkable was this man had already been at it for twelve hours and all he wanted to do was get back in there and do more. That’s dedication! The common thread throughout when listening to interviews with these phenomenal people is that they are there because they want to be there. These people want to help those that are in need, they don’t see themselves as heroes, and to these people they are just doing what they are paid to do. As tiring, as “backbreaking” or as risky and their job is these people put their lives on the line for strangers not just because they want to but because of the immense satisfaction and sense of achievement they get from a rescue.
It takes a very special kind of character to do that kind of job. I imagine there is a need for “adventure” in these people that is fulfilled in a way, for sure none of these people could successfully hold down a regular office job. I’m sure they are “adrenaline junkies” in some way or another, and they would have to have a lot of self confidence in their own ability you can’t go into a dangerous situation without it. Watching all these interviews it is obvious that these men and women are very proud to do their job. The obvious satisfaction they are feeling and the empathy that shows on their faces while they are working is touching. I know I keep repeating myself but I do find it truly remarkable!
Seeing all of this going on I am reminded every day of my middle brother, he’s a fireman. Well actually he’s now also a paramedic with the fire department, I think. Let’s just stick with fireman in case I get it wrong. My brother the fireman! I love the sound of that I really do, because him being in this line of work is exactly where he should be. He is not somebody who could pull off a regular office job, he’s confident, and certainly a bit of an adrenaline junkie. But most importantly he has unlimited empathy and a willingness to help anyone if he can, even if it means taking a calculated risk himself. I know that were he here in Christchurch now he would give everything he’s got to help those trapped, I know that he would be saddened by the mounting death toll and I know that he would never give up hope of finding someone alive even now.
Watching the tragedy that is Christchurch unfold and hearing the heroic stories told has brought home to me exactly why my brother chose to be a fireman and I am very proud of him for doing so.
So here’s to you brother mine, it is an honour being your sister!
For just over a week now these selfless people have put their lives on the line for the sake of others, those from Christchurch putting the safety of strangers first before their own families. In an interview on the evening following the quake a paramedic said that he was just doing what he was trained to do and that keeping busy helped him to cope. How does one put aside the concern for one’s family and show compassion and empathy to those strangers around him? I for one think that is an awesome sacrifice. I heard about one man who had managed to get into a rather tight squeeze just to make eye contact with a survivor and while his team mates dug around them he stayed with her holding her hand and just being with her for nearly two hours. WOW! During an interview he was shifting from foot to foot and looking back towards the work site all the while trying to be courteous and answer the questions and tell his story. The interviewer eventually remarked that it was obvious the rescuer wanted to get back on the job. The rescuer responded that there is nothing more motivating then a successful rescue, the adrenaline is pumping and the only aim is to find and rescue someone else. What was most remarkable was this man had already been at it for twelve hours and all he wanted to do was get back in there and do more. That’s dedication! The common thread throughout when listening to interviews with these phenomenal people is that they are there because they want to be there. These people want to help those that are in need, they don’t see themselves as heroes, and to these people they are just doing what they are paid to do. As tiring, as “backbreaking” or as risky and their job is these people put their lives on the line for strangers not just because they want to but because of the immense satisfaction and sense of achievement they get from a rescue.
It takes a very special kind of character to do that kind of job. I imagine there is a need for “adventure” in these people that is fulfilled in a way, for sure none of these people could successfully hold down a regular office job. I’m sure they are “adrenaline junkies” in some way or another, and they would have to have a lot of self confidence in their own ability you can’t go into a dangerous situation without it. Watching all these interviews it is obvious that these men and women are very proud to do their job. The obvious satisfaction they are feeling and the empathy that shows on their faces while they are working is touching. I know I keep repeating myself but I do find it truly remarkable!
Seeing all of this going on I am reminded every day of my middle brother, he’s a fireman. Well actually he’s now also a paramedic with the fire department, I think. Let’s just stick with fireman in case I get it wrong. My brother the fireman! I love the sound of that I really do, because him being in this line of work is exactly where he should be. He is not somebody who could pull off a regular office job, he’s confident, and certainly a bit of an adrenaline junkie. But most importantly he has unlimited empathy and a willingness to help anyone if he can, even if it means taking a calculated risk himself. I know that were he here in Christchurch now he would give everything he’s got to help those trapped, I know that he would be saddened by the mounting death toll and I know that he would never give up hope of finding someone alive even now.
Watching the tragedy that is Christchurch unfold and hearing the heroic stories told has brought home to me exactly why my brother chose to be a fireman and I am very proud of him for doing so.
So here’s to you brother mine, it is an honour being your sister!
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