An EMT's job is never complete. 365 days a year paramedics respond to 9-1-1 calls. And during the holiday season, those become more frequent.
Last holiday season, emergency rooms treated nearly 40,000 people for injuries caused by a fall. Get this, about 6,000 of those injuries happened while people are putting up decorations on a ladder or roof. Hal Fielding has seen it all on Thanksgiving. He says people suffer from just about everything from kitchen fires to choking.
"It is a lot of stress for some people. They have things associated with stress. Heart attacks. Nothing stops those."
The emergency calls don't take a break on Thanksgiving, but the paramedics enjoyed a hot meal. The Windham Senior Living Center opened it's doors and it's kitchen to emergency crews.
"Turkey, ham, stuffing. Mashed potatoes. Gravy. Everything you would expect in a turkey dinner."
"It's spectacular. Sometimes we don't get to have a meal with our families. So this is our family on the holiday when we are working."
Nearly 100 paramedics and fire crews stopped by to enjoy the meal. The residents at the Windham Center were glad to have them. "They're here frequently because we are old and we all have problems. So on holidays we honor them with a good meal."
Even though paramedics had to work the holiday, many say they give thanks for the hot meal and a pay check.
"Considering the recession. Having a job especially a good job is a blessing. I give thanks to that."
TXT 24
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