My baby brother

 My little brother Doug is a Battalion Chief for the Edmond Fire Department in Oklahoma. He has been on the job for 23 years now. During this time he has responded to countless emergencies and unfortunately has seen his share of disasters. He was on the scene, searching through the rubble after the bombing in OKC. I can't begin to imagine what he has seen and dealt with during his career.

Monday he drove south to Moore and his team was assigned to Plaza Elementary. Below is something he shared with us.


Thanks everyone!! I have to share a quick story and a lesson I a 23 year veteran of the FD was reminded about this morning by a new recruit we just hired with 3 WEEKS on.

Yesterday afternoon we responded to Moore and got our assignment to go to Plaza Elementary School to assist with search and rescue. Once there, the new recruit was simply assigned to start cutting 4x4 posts into 2' sections. That's it, just cut as many 2' sections as you can with the lumber we had to use as cribbing. Mind you he is standing in front of a horrific scene and his job was to cut boards that will be used to support weakened concrete. At first he thought surely there is something more I can do. However, this morning when we returned to the station and we gathered as a group to debrief. It was then that he shared his story and the task he was assigned. He also shared that at first he was aggravated about his assignment, but finally it hit him, his portion of the mission was to produce cribbing that would be used to keep responders and victims safe. His portion although seeming trivial it was a small part of a huge effort to provide comfort and closure to a lot of people.

Long story short, not one first responder can do their job without the support of every Oklahoman. Whether it be getting involved in local government, volunteering at a local charity or donating goods or money, it takes a team to be successful. A Oklahoma team I'm proud to be part of!!

Doug generally keeps his feelings pretty well hidden, he has never really talked about what he saw at the OKC bombing site with me and doesn't like a lot of attention for what he does. It is his job, he loves it and that's enough.

But, I am his big sister and since our Mom is no longer here to brag on him, I am going to. He probably wishes I wouldn't, but I just can't help myself. I am so very proud of what he does on a daily basis. He is a good man, husband, father and brother. His chosen career has meant he missed out on some things with his family. But that's ok, he was out there helping other families. We all make sacrifices, but our First Responders very often make the ultimate sacrifice, as witnessed recently in West, Texas.

So, if you love a First Responder, give them an extra hug today. We all get a little complacent and forget what they do for us, until something like Moore, Oklahoma happens and reminds us.

Thank you for all you do Douglas,
I love you,
Sis