By Conrad Dudderar
Associate Editor
This Saturday has been officially set aside to honor a special group of front-line public health and safety professionals who keep Yukon citizens safe and protected.
The City of Yukon on Oct. 28 will observe “First Responders Day” in honor of its police officers, firefighters, 911 dispatchers, nurses, paramedics, emergency medical services personnel, and search and rescue teams.
Members of the Yukon Police Department, Yukon Fire Department, Pafford Emergency Medical Services, and INTEGRIS Canadian Valley Hospital were recognized during the Oct. 17th Yukon City Council meeting.
Eighteen of Yukon’s first responders helped fill the Council Chambers of the Centennial Building, 12 S 5th.
They stood before the audience as Yukon Mayor Shelli Selby presented an annual First Responders Day proclamation.
“We know that first responders are not just our police and our fire – but Pafford, our nurses, our doctors, our EMTs, (and) the hospital staff,” Selby told the audience. “All of these people play an integral part in keeping us safe in our community.”
BRAVE HEROES
Yukon’s mayor asked residents on Oct. 28 to honor the “brave, selfless and compassionate heroes” who save countless lives every day – and pay tribute to those who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.
“First responders are vital members of our community, protecting our neighbors and loved ones from existing threats and remaining vigilant for new threats that may emerge,” said Selby, reading from the proclamation.
“First responders are highly trained and undergo extensive education, training and personal sacrifice to develop the expertise required to respond to emergency situations.”
Mayor Selby, on behalf of Yukon and its citizens, credited the bravery of “our community heroes” who willingly put their lives on the line for their fellow citizens.
Families of first responders also make significant sacrifices to support their loved one’s service, she pointed out.
“(T)hese family members live with the reality that their spouse, sibling, parent or loved one may not return home from the job, and they deserve our appreciation and respect for bearing this burden,” the proclamation reads.
