Jason and Josey Field and their children paid a visit to the Killam Fire Station last Wednesday, July 23, to thank first responders who responded to the serious motor vehicle accident that injured four members of the family, including Jason, and led to the death of their daughter Emma earlier in the year.
Jason told firefighters that he and his family wanted to spend some time with the crew who, he said, “saved our family’s lives.”
“By the time you were there, Emma was already with Jesus, and you guys saved our lives; you saved Jake and Maddy’s lives, and we are just… again, there are no words to say, pure love and appreciation for everything you guys did.”
The Field family told first responders that they were floored by the flood of support they have been receiving, especially now that they are back in the community. “There’s still a little bit of a road and an adjustment back.”
Killam Captain Bud James said, “There are a lot of good things about being a part of a small community, and this is one of them. You guys have been through a lot, and suffered a horrible loss, but it’s so nice to see you today.”
The Fields say that their faith has been a large part of getting through the tragedy, along with the support from the community. Jason told the firefighters and RCMP present, “You handled yourselves perfect in that environment, and that situation. I remember you guys doing everything you could to get us out of there.”
Regional Fire Chief Derek Homme thanked the family for coming, and Jason for his kind words. “All the training and dedication the guys put in help, but there was also a lot of good fortune that day in the ALS crew who were in Killam that day, which is very rare.”
Homme explained that an ALS, or Advanced Life Support, paramedic is a healthcare professional trained to provide a highest level of pre-hospital emergency care than a Basic Life Support paramedic. Chief Joe Knievel added, “there were two in town that day, they came out of Camrose.” Homme said, “They had all the advanced drugs and everything they needed for the situation.”
Field said, “I don’t believe in accidents; that’s just another example of extraordinary efforts. We grieve for our daughter, obviously… everything after that, after the accident itself was miracle after miracle and blessing after blessing.”
He said looking back, he can’t help but feel blessed and just to know what the community has done for them, and the outpouring of support, including the fundraising done by FRESS at the fire ball, “that stuff is just humbling.”
He added, “You’re going to hear us say thank you, over and over and over again – I just don’t know what else to say.”
Homme said, “It’s just good for us to see that you and your family are doing so much better.” Deputy Chief Rick Krys added, “Yes, after that day, it’s awesome to see them walking around – that’s what I love to see today. It’s awesome.”
Field said he has been “blown away by everything. The response, the ICU, the nurses, the doctors….”
That’s when Krys told them that the locum doctor who attended at the Killam Hospital was not even supposed to be in the town until the next day, but had shown up a day early, and a nurse who was sick also ended up coming in and helping. “He wasn’t even supposed to be there. They were talking about his skill in intubating, and his experience; another thing that fell in your favour.”
Field said, “The Lord was with us that day, which may seem bizarre to hear because we just lost a daughter, but I can’t help but feel the blessing, and the work you guys did. It’s overwhelming, and I don’t have the words to express the miracle of us standing here and having the kids run around.”
He praised the firefighters for having the training, and being ready to snap into action when needed. “You guys are a special breed to do that, to step into those situations.
“We have nothing but gratitude for you.”
Krys responded, “Gratitude is when we see the results, that’s the biggest thing for us.
“I understand you lost one, but you have two who appear to be on their way to full recoveries, and from what they looked like that day, it’s unbelievable.”
The Fields repeated their thanks for the incredible flood of support received from the community, repeating his thanks to the firefighters, who responded, “you already did.”
The Fields said they also hope to meet the paramedics and doctor from that day.
Leslie Cholowsky
Editor
