BONIFAY, Fla. (WDNews) — A difficult weekend filled with medical emergencies and fatal crashes stretched first responders across Holmes County, prompting Sheriff John Tate to thank local and neighboring agencies for stepping in when resources were running low.
According to the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office, six people overheated during the grand opening of Riverbend, with several requiring transportation for medical care. First responders also handled two major wrecks involving fatalities.
Tate said one of the wrecks resulted in six people being airlifted or transported by ambulance. Another wreck involved two to three additional patients who needed transportation.
The sheriff said those emergencies came as crews were already handling numerous other calls and hospital transfers.
“I am thankful we have such a great group of Fire, EMS, and LEO who don’t hesitate to jump on an ambulance, cover a station, or simply pitch in wherever they are needed. That is what makes Holmes County different,” Tate said.
Help also came from outside Holmes County. Tate said responders from Walton County and Geneva County stepped in.
“We also had our neighboring brothers and sisters from Walton County and Geneva County step up and come help. It truly was all hands on deck. Our resources were stretched and, at times, depleted, but others stepped in and filled the gap,” Tate said.
Communications employees were also dealing with what Tate described as hundreds of 911 calls while coordinating fire, EMS, helicopters and deputies.
“Our communications staff was also slammed, working tirelessly to navigate fire, EMS, helicopters, deputies, and the hundreds of 911 calls pouring in,” Tate said. “They were pushed hard trying to keep everything moving, coordinated, and accounted for during an extremely high-volume and high-stress weekend.”
Tate also spoke about the emotional toll tragedies can have on emergency workers.
“First responders are human. Tragedies affect them just like they affect everyone else. The difference is that we are often expected to put a smile on our face, get back in the truck, and keep going,” Tate said.
“You really don’t know what it is like unless you have been there.”
Tate said despite disagreements that can occur among agencies, responders come together when they are needed most.
“We may fuss and grumble at times, and we may not always agree on everything, but when the crap hits the fan, you get to see where the rubber meets the road. We may not be perfect, but we get the job done.”
“I couldn’t imagine being the Sheriff anywhere else,” Tate said.
The sheriff asked the community to remember both the families who lost loved ones and the first responders who handled the tragedies.
“People often ask, ‘What can we do to help?’ The answer is simple: pray. Pray for the families who lost loved ones, and pray for the first responders who are carrying what they saw and what they had to do. Many of them are struggling, and those prayers matter more than most people will ever know.”
Tate ended his message by thanking everyone who answered calls, transported patients, dispatched emergency crews, covered stations or came from neighboring agencies to help.
“Thank you to each and every person who answered the call this weekend. Whether you were on the front line, working behind the scenes, covering a station, driving an ambulance, dispatching calls, responding from another agency, or simply helping wherever you could — Holmes County appreciates you.”
“Take care of one another.”
