Some Like it Hot
When Dr. Joseph M. Still founded the Southeastern Firefighters Burn Foundation 25 years ago, he recognized that there was one volunteer in particular, the firefighter, who would be instrumental in helping the organization achieve its mission to help families of patients being treated at the Joseph M. Still Burn Center at Doctors Hospital.
We were reminded this past month at the Boston Marathon how critical first responders are to every community. While the normal response is to run from danger, firefighters are trained to run toward danger, including burning buildings, in order to save lives. The Burn Center is able to boast a 97% survival rate for its patients, in large part, because of the help of firefighters and other first responders.
Unfortunately, the firefighter may help save a burn patient, but often has no opportunity to reconnect with patients once they have been admitted to the hospital. Volunteering with the Burn Foundation gives the firefighter an opportunity to continue sharing compassion and care to burn survivors and their families.
"Firefighters play a vital role in our organization," said Jo Maypole, President of the Burn Foundation. "They raise 25% of our budget through boot drives, golf tournaments and other fundraisers. They are supportive with our annual Shop with a Doc shopping spree, and this past November helped with our First Annual Hot Diggity Dog Chili Cook-off."
We thought it would be nice to hear first-hand what our firefighter volunteers had to say when we asked, "Why do you support the Burn Foundation?"
I am a 30-year veteran of the Fire Service and have seen and worked with many burn victims, and there is a service being provided by the Foundation and the Chavis House that is absolutely unique. The Foundation has the rare opportunity to bring together the general public, corporations, first responders and the medical community behind one cause. I really believe that the surface of what the Foundation can achieve has just been scratched.
John F. Ryan
Assistant Fire Chief
Training/Special Operations
19 year volunteer with the Burn Foundation
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I support the Burn Foundation because of the many lives that they have affected over the years, including the moral support they give during the recovery.
Bryan Rawl, Captain
Lexington County Fire Service
12 year volunteer with the Burn Foundation
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The reason for supporting the Foundation is the work that they do. I think being burned would be worse than losing a limb. The support that the Foundation gives to the victims & family members is second to none.
Danny L. Kuhlmann
Special Operations Chief
Columbia County Fire Rescue
20 year volunteer with the Burn Foundation
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I support this foundation for more than one reason. The first reason is we, as first responders, rush to help folks when 911 is called every day. We don't get to know these patients during their emergency. We treat, patch, package and transport these patients to the local trauma centers and drop them off, never knowing exactly how things will turn out. I appreciate the fact that there is a major support system, such as the Burn Foundation, that picks up where the first responders' job must end.
In December 2009 I was with a large group of calendar models selling our SSFD Calendars at the Savannah Mall when I saw a little girl walking across the food court where we were. I could tell by her appearance that something horrible had happened to her, and I learned that she had been a patient in the Joseph M. Still Burn Center. After spending 10 minutes with this little girl, I could tell that she really didn't understand that she was not like all the other children. She acted like she was any other 8-year-old at the mall to see Santa. During this brief time with her family, I realized the purpose for selling calendars and raising money was for THIS little girl and others like her.
Gary Jarriel
Director of Security, Southside Fire/EMS & Security
Savannah, GA
10 year volunteer with the Burn Foundation