MEDIC COVID DEATH, Your FIREHOUSE So Called Culture? Firefighters Swept Off Pier (The Secret List)

We regret to pass on the Line of Duty death of Columbus (Indiana) Regional Health EMS Paramedic Scott Gordon.

On November 4th, Paramedic Gordon became ill with COVID-19 contracted in the line-of-duty — less than 48 hours after his EMS partner became ill. He was hospitalized on November 7th and died just after 4:00 P.M. Sunday, November 15th.

Paramedic Gordon served in EMS for approximately 35 years. He started in Huntington, Indiana, and later served with Wishard Health Services EMS. During his EMS career, he had served as an EMS Manager and extensively as an EMS Educator. Funeral arrangements are pending.

Well known researcher and friend of the fire service Dr. Sara Jahnke and her partners have focused on promoting the health and well-being of Firefighters and military through research, for over 20 years.

Harassment and bullying have become a critical area of concern in the fire service; from face to face and online intimidation to extreme instances of harassment resulting in assault. These negative behaviors erode safety and teamwork in addition to being in stark contrast to the fire service core values of duty, pride, and tradition and put departments at risk for litigation.

Sara & the researchers at the Center for Fire, Rescue & EMS Health Research are conducting a study on firehouse environments and how firefighters interact.  They would like to collect a broad cross section of opinions from the fire service (e.g. career, volunteer, east coast, west coast, central, men, women). If you are interested in participating, please click this link to be taken to the survey:

PLEASE TAKE THE SURVEY:

EXTREME RESCUE ATTEMPTS RESULT IN CLOSE CALL AS FIREFIGHTERS ARE SWEPT OFF PIER IN MICHIGAN

8 Firefighters were swept into Lake Michigan during a dramatic rescue attempt late Sunday, Nov. 15, on the south pier in Muskegon.  9 Firefighters were injured with one suffering serious injuries. The search resumed Monday morning for the body of the missing civilian.

WHAT HAPPENED:.
The victim was initially swept off the pier with two others who got back to the pier. Waves reached 12 feet, with wind gusts over 50 mph. The first  Firefighters on scene saw the man clinging to rocks on the north side of the pier at the Muskegon channel. Two Firefighters approached from the beach while 4 others got into a rescue boat.

Waves slammed the pier as Firefighters on shore made their way out. They made several tries to reach the victim before one of them was swept off the pier into the water. The Firefighter was injured but managed to get back to the pier. Muskegon Firefighters reorganized with North Muskegon and Norton Shores Firefighters. That crew took extreme efforts to reach the victim, but they, too, sustained injuries after being swept off the pier twice.

Muskegon Firefighters on the rescue boat “faced deadly conditions” and were not able to rescue the man from the water. A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter from Traverse City Air Station responded – but conditions were too rough for an air rescue. The Coast Guard and the Firefighters then tried another land rescue before 5 of them were swept into the water. After numerous heroic attempts, all rescuers were pulled from the water and one of them was taken by ambulance to the hospital – while eight others suffered less serious injuries. KTIYP’s.

Take Care. Be Careful. Pass It On.

BillyG

The Secret List 11/17/2020-1307 Hours