Emergency responders have our deepest thanks | LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Published 9:57 am Saturday, May 30, 2015

To the editor:

Walking home from church on Sunday, as the Bainbridge Island Fire Department aid cars passed me with sirens blaring, I thought lightheartedly: “I hope they’re not heading to my house!” Imagine my panic when I saw two big red aid trucks in my driveway.

Many thanks and the deepest admiration to the team who responded when my husband, Vinnie, experienced a heart attack while mowing the lawn. As one of the paramedics joked to him in a light moment, “You only finished three rows.”

To these men I pay tribute: Paramedics David Coatsworth and Jeremiah Ballou, EMTs Justin Foley, Forest Heitpas and Jason Livdahl. And to all the others at the Bainbridge Island Fire Department who do the same whenever they get the call.

This crew responded quickly, acted with care and precision, made their decisions with skill and insight. They did the right thing and provided the medical team at Virginia Mason with the information they needed to be prepared and treated Vinnie immediately to avoid further damage to the heart.

We are also grateful to the nurses and pilot of the helicopter crew who flew him to Seattle. All of these emergency responders are a thing to behold under full power; bless every one of them for their professionalism and care.

And deepest thanks to friends, family and the Bainbridge Island community, who visited, sent up their prayers, fed us, finished the lawn, and more. You know who you are and you know how much we appreciate all of it.

The good news is that, with help from the BIFD, Virginia Mason and all of you, Vinnie is recovering well. We’ll get used to the “new normal” thankfully.

This is a fabulous place to be alive and we’re so glad we are — alive and here.

DAPHNE AND VINNE DAVIES

Bainbridge Island