Art pointed out an article that was in the Honolulu Star Advertiser yesterday morning. It's about a firefighter who refused to respond to last month's Arizona shooting leaving so many people dead and dying. Mark Ekstrum's unit is supposed to be specially trained to respond to handle large medical emergencies, but was dispatched 90 minutes after the shooting because they had to find a replacement for him. He refused to go because he apparently didn't like Gifford's political views.I was completely thunderstruck. Are you kidding? They were going to discipline him but since he was already a 28 year veteran, he just retired before his superiors could do anything.
My son was a firefighter in New Mexico for 2 years before he returned to university full-time. I can just imagine how he and his firefighter friends must be feeling right now. It just boggles your mind.
There are stupid people in every profession. I'm glad this guy is no longer in a place to do any more harm.
POSTSCRIPT 1: I just called my son and talked to him about the incident. He was puzzled to hear about a crew that was specially trained to do this kind of emergency because he says they are all trained to handle emergencies. He's sure that there would have been many fire stations responding to this emergency and it wouldn't have all been left up to Ekstrum's fire station. He suggested I do more research on this. I did and found this one from CBS. This story is really firing up the web right now. I'm actually feeling rather sorry for Mr. Ekstrum. One moment's stupidity has just ruined his life.
POSTSCRIPT 2: Here's another link that Art found on Yahoo news from the Arizona Daily Star. I don't know what to think. As I recall... our son said when the bell rang, they jumped into their boots and had to be out the door in 60 seconds or something like that. I didn't think that would give you time to philosophize over the situation.
The story is not clear or complete in either link. Very strange. I hope they will do a thorough investigation.
ReplyDeleteWe are so used to thinking of firefighters as supermen that this story stands out and engages even more.
It is a strange story...now, your header picture on the on the other hand is gorgeous! I loved the Big Island.
ReplyDeletestrange story.
ReplyDeleteBut he said he voted for her. There must be more to this story than meets the eye. BTW, both links use the same story. I thought they were going to be different.
ReplyDeletepeople are getting too carried away with their political views and forgetting basic human values and unconditional acceptance...
ReplyDeleteMy son was a firefighter as well. We all find this totally unacceptable. It was time for this man to retire.
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling that there's more than meets the eye here, although anything is possible in today's world.
ReplyDeleteThat is an amazing story. It sounds like it was time for him to retire. It will be interesting to hear what else comes out about this.
ReplyDeleteTeachers, firefighters, policemen are all called to serve the public good. Personal political views on who gets served, how they are served, and when they served should not enter the public arena. If as public servants, we can no longer support the views of those we serve because they are opposite of our own, then we must resign or retire.
ReplyDeleteI find it sad and pathetic that he lost sight of his oath of office. It also is scary to wonder how many others are out there who are of the same persuasion.
I too investigated further and was glad I did. Mr. Ekstrum made a terrible mistake. I'm not sure what's going on his life right now to cause his reaction but it certainly was not political as it was played in the media.
ReplyDeleteI get so tired of hoping for a quick read of 'today's news' only to find myself trapped into spending a sizable amount of time researching for the truth of what I've just read. Jeez, how do we stop this?
Yes, I agree with what Linda just said. why is it so hard to get the truth any more? Everything is so sensationalized.
ReplyDeleteThis man had to retire. He was either too stubborn or too softhearted and not fit to do his job.
ReplyDeleteMy first impulse was to castitgate himm too, I don't understand it either and I can only wonder at what went through his mind. It astounds me but he's not talking. His job was/is a tough one and maybe it was more than he could bear. You've got to believe that he's seen a LOT of horror in 28 years and perhaps this was the breaking point.
ReplyDeleteI never heard of anything quite like this.
ReplyDeleteIt was tough growing up but I didn't really know any better and the small town I lived in was like let live alone.
Our son-in-law was a firefighter before he became an emergency medical technician. I've known several firefighters, both full-time and volunteer, and it sounds to me like this "story" doesn't tell the full story.
ReplyDeleteWhen I started working in the newspaper business, reporters had to verify their stories, check their sources, and a story couldn't be printed unless it told the truth. Reporters couldn't editorialize, only editors could, and their opinions had to be given as opinions, not disguised as news.
These days, all kinds of rumors are published; stories are written with a decided slant and with an eye to sensationalism rather than truth.
It breaks my heart to know this is happening, but I'm grateful I worked for newspapers when truth really mattered. I hope the real truth of this firefighter's story is told some day, but it isn't likely. It is already "old news" and will have to take its place behind something more sensational.
-- K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
That is just so impossible to believe. There has to be more to it and I hope they investigate. He was quoted as saying he voted for her. It just doesn't make sense.
ReplyDeleteSad if our polarization politically can cause such behavior.
I don't trust the news any more and the extreme differences in these stories is why.
ReplyDeleteThese kinds of bandwagon/viral stories are the most effective way to get good people to stop speaking out loud. We don't know the whole story, but many of us jumped to a particular conclusion and printed it. Our 24/7 news cycle has a lot of culpability when it comes to messing up people's lives.
ReplyDeleteInitially I was bothered to hear Ekstrum had abandoned all those people in need but after reading the other articles I'm left thinking he may have finally just seen enough 'bad' in his job to quit. I hope he finds peace among these hostilities the news is surely causing him and his family. And, I hope that fire department can regain its trust with the public again.
ReplyDeleteWhat confusion. Of all sorts.
ReplyDeleteI do not readily accept that a Rescue Worker of 28 years suddenly refused to attend a rescue because of a difference of political philosophy with ONE of the possible victims.
ReplyDeleteOff the top of my head: He's got "Shell-Shock".