Much
is written , YouTubed, etc., about 1st
Responders. Rightfully so, these are compelling stories and the people who deal
with the carnage are special people (I include my late son, the Army Medic and,
later, ambulance crewman).
Those
who follow up get little publicity (and don’t seek it). Their work is important
and the impact on their lives can be as stressful as 1st Responders.
Among these are people specializing in accident reconstruction, insurance
adjusters, lawyers immediately dispatched to serious accident scenes by
insurance companies, and tow truck drivers.
Consider
this gruesome accident my sister, the insurance adjuster, was asked to handle.
She
arrived on scene while the vehicles involved were still there along with the
driver of the semi and other witnesses. My sister does more than called for.
Among other things, she provides emotional triage such as referring people to
mental health resources, arranging motels, transportation to hospitals for
drug/alcohol testing, and other acts of a decent human being. Often she needs
to arrange storage of vehicles and personal property.
We
discuss these things. I’m not interested in confidential information (and she
won’t share) but we talk. Everyone needs a sympathetic ear. Fortunately for
her, I’m not her only resource.
1
am, Wyoming I-80, howling blizzard, multi vehicle pile up at MM 255 and her
phone rings. Shortly, she is in her 4wd F-150 on the way if the roads are open.
Her
work doesn’t end at the scene. Her professional, dispassionate and accurate report
will help with the quick and fair settlement of insurance claims.
She
is the best at what she does. Yeah, I’m her brother but I’m far from alone in
my opinion.
So
here is a shout out to all the 2nd Responders who do their difficult
work with little recognition. Our world is a bit better because of them.
7 comments:
Bravo to susty. Not a job I would want, nor as a 1st responder. They see too much bad shit and have to live with it. Facebook gives me enough drama without all the blood and guts. She is a bigger man than I am.
I read the article on the accident. I've been at accident scenes where people died, but never an infant. It must have hit Sisty hard.
Good to have good people like her around that know how to handle these matters. I'm sure she goes Above and Beyond what's required.
Kudos to your sis and the other 2nd responders. (I worked nights & weekends in ER admitting, for a time, when there was no plex between patients and my desk, or security.) I can tell you there are a whole host of people that don't get credit for the jobs they do. Thank you sis for going the extra mile.
It's a truly hard job, and my thanks to her for doing it... It's NEVER fun to respond to accidents, whether you're first in or fifth in... Multiple things to deal with, depending on where you fall out in the stack.
Respect. And prayers for your son, rest in peace.
CP
Tough woman, with a big heart.
drjim
Can you imagine if the mother survived and the infant didn't?
Brig
And you too - part of the 2nd tier.
NFO
The deaths are hard. She handles other claims - just about everything. Pity the fool who thinks they have hit the insurance lotto. "Just the facts"!!!!
LSP
Thank you!
Thank you all for the kind comments. I feel that by doing my job, I am helping those involved during this trying time. I approach my work with The Golden Rule. It is very satisfying and I am blessed to know many fine, quality folks in the "2nd tier" who are consummate professionals with the same attitude. These accidents are never easy but I feel fulfilled by my part in the process.
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