Why more acts of heroism among first responders needs to be shared

This post is based on a partnership with Firehouse Subs. All work is honest and my own.

 

As a first responder wife, I hardly listen to the news anymore. And similarly, when new police wives ask me for advice to adjusting to this lifestyle, I always recommend keeping the news off, especially when our officers are working.

It isn’t all too often that you hear positive, even heroic acts regarding first responders on the news or in social media these days. As a first responder family, we may talk about the amazing acts of first responders in our own town, but rarely do those stories make national news. Sadly, a lot of these heroes are never recognized. It can be difficult to hear an abundance of negative stories in the media on a consistent basis as a first responder family. Or maybe these stories are shared, but they don’t hold much longevity, unfortunately. It can be even harder to hear as a first responder spouse knowing that our officer’s are doing everything they can to serve and protect.

So when remarkable stories showing bravery and heroism do make headlines, you better believe I am all ears! And you should be, too! These are the kinds of stories that need more media attention! These are the stories that warm our hearts and are truly worth sharing! And I love being able to highlight or share these positive, life-changing stories.

Like the story of a Detroit police officer who saved a man’s life his first day on the job!

Even better, this call was the very first call Officer Schmittou ever responded to! Officer Schmittou was dispatched to a call where a man in his 60’s was in cardiac arrest. This rookie officer, along with fellow officers, performed CPR on the man then Officer Schmittou grabbed an AED from his vehicle to use on the man.

Ultimately, this man’s life was saved by this rookie officer, the fellow officers from his department and the amazing dispatcher who remained on the line with the 9-1-1 caller. Saving this man’s life was a giant team effort with an amazing outcome!

And just as incredible as it is hearing about these stories, it is also spectacular when you hear of restaurants, brands and businesses that support first responders in any way that they can. Like Firehouse Subs and the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation.

 

 

You see, the AED that saved this man’s life and was in Officer Schmittou’s vehicle, was donated by the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. Firehouse Subs and their Public Safety Foundation are WAY more than just a good sub shop in your hometown. I can feel good every time my family and I eat at Firehouse Subs because a portion of every sale in 2018 is donated to their Foundation. The Foundation has donated over $31 million in life-saving equipment and training to first responder agencies throughout the country. I am proud to say that I eat at a restaurant that gives back and supports first responders just as my family does.

Without the support and donation of this life-saving device to the Northville Township Police Department in Detroit, this story may have had a very difficult outcome.

Community Support

Ultimately, we need to keep these extraordinary stories going. We need to recognize them, share them, and they need to outweigh the negative on any news outlet.

By highlighting acts of bravery, heroism, and support we not only recognize those who deserve it but also show support within our communities. We show that we support the men and women who protect our hometowns. We show that we care just as much about those positive, life-saving acts, if not more! And when we work as a team, we can have a powerful impact.

These incredible stories are what we want to come across our televisions and social media news feeds. This is the kind of story I want to share with my children who grow up in a first responder family. Stories like Officer Schmittou’s happen often, we just need to come together to make sure they are heard.

 

*This life-changing story was provided by Firehouse Subs and Northville Township Police Department.