Crime & Safety
Firefighters Stage Impromptu Parade For Hospital: Coronavirus
County firefighters and paramedics staged an impromptu parade Wednesday for coronavirus healthcare workers at WellStar Douglas Hospital.
DOUGLASVILLE, GA — If you heard horns and sirens near WellStar Douglas Hospital early Wednesday evening, it wasn’t an emergency, it was a celebration — a half dozen fire and EMS units were saluting healthcare workers at the hospital.
Firefighters and paramedics from the Douglas County Fire & EMS Department gathered shortly after 7 p.m. to make noise as hospital workers exited the emergency-room doors to watch. Hands waving from the ambulances and fire trucks were exchanged with hands waving high in the air from masked hospital workers. (video link at bottom of story)
“So often first responders get recognized during crisis and emergency situations, but I often think of the healthcare workers who are on their feet 12 hours straight in a hospital that don’t get recognized enough,” said division fire chief Cory Shelton, who came up with the idea. “This way, I felt we could try to convey our appreciation and recognize them.”
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Douglas County Fire & EMS Chief Scott Spencer was happy to join him.
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“It makes my heart proud, that I have people in my department that think this way,” Spencer said. “So often firefighters and EMS are put in the forefront of responding to emergencies, but this time we are all in this together.”
“These are some of the hardest working nurses, doctors and hospital staff I know, working around the clock since the COVID-19, coronavirus pandemic began,” said Rick Martin, public information officer for the fire department. “It was breathtaking to see the hospital staff wearing their masks and waving and even the emotional reaction from some of the staff got to me personally.”
Spotted this awesomeness as I was delivering meals to the hospital tonight! Thanks @DglsCoFireGA - we love y’all! @WellstarHealth #douglasstrong @wsbtv @FOX5Atlanta @11AliveNews pic.twitter.com/D0YXMVnpaR
— Sara Ray (@sararay81) April 16, 2020
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