To the editor:
Praise is in order for the courageous and caring men and women of the Lawrence Police Department, the Douglas County Sheriff's Department, Lawrence-Douglas County Fire and Medical, the Emergency Medical Services and the KU Medical Center Lifelight helicopter team for the outstanding job that they did in managing the tragic and horrific vehicular accident that occurred early Sunday morning.
These individuals had to work quickly and in coordination to save lives. In addition, they had to deal with bystanders who would get in the way of their good works. The images of mangled bodies that they had to view and the needless pain and suffering that they had to perceive would be a stressor for anyone. Nevertheless, these professionals carried out their roles as they were trained -- with speed, accuracy and caring. Only with this
professional attitude were they able to minimize as much as possible the very serious physical damages endured by these accident victims and get these individuals to medical care as soon as possible.
In addition, some of these professionals had to investigate the accident scene, clean up the scene once the investigation was completed and notify the next of kin about the status of their loved ones. It is true that these professionals did what they were trained to do, but if one were to think that working this type of a deadly accident is "all in a day's work" for these professionals, then that person would need to think again. To do the jobs these professionals had to do on Sunday was "above and beyond." In fact, it would not be uncommon for any of these individuals to suffer emotionally and personally from the exposure to such horrific sights.
It was heartening and right to hear in the LJW news coverage of the accident that Haskell Indian Nations University students were getting counseling in the aftermath of the accident, but let's not forget the professionals who worked the accident for long extended hours. They are fragile human beings too who are prone to the same post-traumatic stresses that such sights can bring on. These professionals are worthy of our support, our respect, and our gratitude for managing very well under the worst of circumstances. Thanks too to Paul Taylor, chaplain for Fire and Medical, who was called to the scente to help emergency officials cope.
Robert G. Harrington,
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