Exceptions to the rule

In answer to Aberdeen’s Gloria Anrett, letter to the editor on March 15, I apologize that you took my letter personally.

There are plenty of exceptions to the rule in this country, and not just seniors. 11% of Americans live below the poverty level and 23% make less than $20,000 a year. I am also in those categories, and while many would like to paint all of those people as lazy or drug addicted, I strongly disagree.

That said, it still leaves at least 77% of Americans to choose better purchasing choices and plenty of people who can vote for other reasons than whether or not the candidate in question will lower their taxes. And to my original point — most Americans are cheapskates.

Karen DeMasters

Aberdeen

Teamwork saves lives

I think it is important to recognize a job well done. On March 15, the Hoquiam Fire Department responded to a report of CPR in progress.

On arrival, we found city of Hoquiam Public Works employee Steve Beeman providing high-quality bystander CPR to the patient. If you are not aware, having efficient bystander CPR prior to EMS arriving is crucial to a patient’s outcome.

Hoquiam Fire Department with a crew of five took over compressions and provided advanced life support measures. To include using our LP15 (monitor) to provide “shocks,” starting multiple IV’s and an IO (access into the bone), administering multiple life saving medications, and protecting the patient’s airway by intubating. While on scene Hoquiam Police Department officers Israel Fernandez, Justin Deason and Steven Galeana arrived. They were a tremendous help in carrying medical equipment, getting the patient’s information so that we could focus on running the cardiac arrest, and assisting with the movement of the patient from a second-story loft.

It is the opinion of the Hoquiam Fire Department crew that if Hoquiam Police Department officers hadn’t lent a hand, extrication of the patient would have been extremely difficult and patient and firefighter safety could have been jeopardized as the stairs to the loft were very steep and narrow.

Lastly, Hoquiam Police Department drove CM1 back to the station for us as we needed to have three providers in the back (of the ambulance) and one person driving. Saving a life is a team effort and I want to recognize everyone involved in all steps of this medical call. I believe that this patient has a high likelihood of recovery because of everyone doing their part.

Also, we can’t forget the Grays Harbor Communications 911 dispatchers who took the call and obtained valuable information from the caller, and shared that information to the responders they dispatched.

With sincere thanks and appreciation to all involved,

Captain Larissa Rohr

Hoquiam Fire Department