First responders are true heroes!
I want to publicly acknowledge and thank the true heroes in West Haven–the West Shore Fire Department. They are the essence of the City of West Haven.
My husband and I have been residents of West Haven for close to 20 years. We are surrounded by wonderful neighbors, and helped by complete strangers. We have also been helped over the years by the West Haven Police Department, West Haven Fire Department, and American Medical Response and dispatchers.
As I have had a long battle with a slow-growing inoperable brain tumor with frequent seizures, it has not been an easy road. The West Haven community has reached out to us in wonderful caring ways to show us that we are not alone.
In particular, the members of the West Shore Fire Department are my personal heroes. They have kept us going and getting us through this battle. They have been called to our house so often over the years. They have become like family, going above and beyond to help us. The past two years have been particularly rough as the tumor decided to act up and cause more seizures, prompting a year of chemotherapy. WSFD was there to assist and support my husband, my son, my friends and myself. They showed our son around the Fire House and trained him on what to do if he was alone with me while I had a seizure.
While the paramedics were often kept busy at our house with my medical situation, they were also in good communication with my doctor while here. They did lift assists, wiped away my tears and reassured me that I was not a burden. They calmed me down after seizures, gently reminding me where I was. If any glasses were broken or water spilled during the seizure, they cleaned it up. They even prepared me food to eat at times. They took our dog out, and petted her to make her calm as well. They carried me if I couldn’t stand, and made sure I was warm enough. When I had to be transported to the hospital, they kept me as calm as possible.
This illness has been frustrating to us, but also to the WSFD. However tired they might be, no matter what call they have been to before my house, no matter what they are dealing with, they put that all aside and focus on getting me back on my feet. They do it without complaining, but instead filled with compassion, truly wanting me to just feel better.
To all the first responders, we thank you. And to West Haven, we thank you. And on behalf of my family, I want to say to the fire chief, deputy chief, lieutenant, captains, firefighters andp at West Shore Fire Department: I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you do each and every day, not just for us, but everyone you help. You are in my heart. We do not know what we would do without you. And I know many others that feel exactly the same.
Kelly, Bill and Will Armour