While many will enjoy a paid holiday off work with family and friends today, many in the Lake community will be working. For emergency responders and medical personnel especially, they're still needed on holidays, so they're working.
"We do not differentiate between holidays and regular days," Gravois Fire Protection District (GFPD) Fire Chief Ed Hancock said. "Holiday staffing is the same, except fire staff receive overtime pay on holidays. There are five firefighters and one chief officer on duty 24/7, sometimes two officers. We work 48-hour shifts, two days on and four days off."
Gravois Fire Protection District (GFPD) Fire Chief Ed Hancock presents a certificate of promotion to GFPD Deputy Chief Chad Nicholson. (submitted photo)
GFPD Deputy Chief Chad Nicholson has three small girls at home. "It is rough missing those birthdays, holidays, and school events with my girls," Chief Nicholson admitted. "We are here 24 hours a day. The reward comes from helping people. We recently pulled a woman out of a structure fire. She was hospitalized with severe burns, but we saved her life. Outcomes like that make everything worthwhile."
"The shifts come together between two houses on holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas," Chief Hancock said. "The wives and their families will have dinner at the station, because we believe family is important."
According to Chief Hancock, holidays can bring an increase in recreational medical calls with vehicle and boat crashes, falls, burns, and injuries, often due to people drinking too much.Â
Versailles PoliceÂ
The Versailles Police Department staff pictured front from left, Officer Duane Hostikka, Officer Debra Stark, Officer Kerry Roberts, and Officer Jeremy Sporleder. Back from left are Police Clerk Katie Pryor, Lieutenant Michael Miller, Assistant Chief Erik Hellstrom, Chief Chad Hartman, Corporal Justin Stark, Officer Wayne King, and Officer Justin Faron. (submitted photo)Â
"It is not fun to miss your kid’s stuff," Versailles Police Department Chief Chad Hartman said.
"But this is what I was called to do. We want to serve the public and make a difference. The best part of the job is protecting children from abuse. I appreciate my officers for all they do and the hours they put in to keep our community safe."
CommunicationsÂ
Camden County Communications Officer Jennifer Cruse.Â
Jennifer Cruse is a Camden County Communications Officer. She is scheduled to work on Labor Day. "I am used to it," Officer Cruse said. "The reward comes from helping people. Once we were able to help an elderly female who was lost. She had a broken hip. I stayed on the phone with her, we found her location, sent an ambulance, and contacted her husband. I am sure there are a lot of bigger emergencies, but that one felt really good."
Camden County Sheriff’s Department emergency vehicles. Â
Linn Creek Police
Linn Creek Police Chief David Lobaugh.Â
The Linn Creek Police Department has an officer on duty every holiday. "It can be hard missing special days with our family," Linn Creek Police Chief David Lobaugh said. "But the position is more of a calling. That is why we are doing this job." Chief Lobaugh said it means a lot to officers when citizens say thank you after a long and stressful holiday.Â
ParamedicsÂ
The Lake West Ambulance Crew pictured from left, Paramedic Jason Funke, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Terry Lawson, Operations Manager Laura Steward, EMT Jim Dill and EMT Lacy George. (submitted photo)Â
"Paramedics are needed 24/7," Lake West Ambulance District Operations Manager Laura Steward said. "It is what you sign up for, and you get used to it. I think it is harder when your children are little, but when they get bigger it’s not that big of a deal." She says her inspiration comes from helping children and the elderly. "Especially an older person who doesn’t have anyone else they can call on to help them. We have one older gentleman who calls because he falls a lot. Almost every one of our crew members at some point has made him a meal or shared a cup of coffee with him. We enjoy visiting with him!"
Nursing Â
Lake Regional Hospital Family Birth Center Nurse Destyni Jones.Â
Destyni Jones is Third Nurse at the Family Birth Center at Lake Regional Hospital in Osage Beach. "We have to work holidays because babies don’t stop being born on holidays," Destyni said. "It is hard missing time with my family, especially when I know the rest of the world, with regular Monday to Friday jobs, are all off and enjoying family time together. But saving the lives of moms and babies and making sure they get to have a happy family at the end of the day makes it all worth it."
