For as long as I can remember, every training, classroom, online class, etc. starts with safety, safety, safety. The old, “BSI, scene safe” moniker will always ring true to our profession. On this Memorial Day, it seemed fitting to pay respect to a story that recently hit our Kansas City region. The shield for KCFD (MO) was blazoned with a black ribbon illustrating LODD. After reading some news alerts, the tragedy hit a nerve. This “routine” call resulted in the loss of life for a 29-year-old who responded to a “routine” request for assistance by police after a woman was found wandering on a highway in the early morning hours. I am sure many of us have run this type of call in our careers. You are there to help the patient and take them to a safer place. The scene appears safe and soon you are on your way, when suddenly you are stabbed in the chest piercing your heart. You die shortly after the stabbing. (Sang, 2024)
As I read the various reports, one cannot help but wonder how this happened? This happens far too often, the “routine” suddenly shifts, and chaos ensues. As First Responders we cannot prepare for every scenario and there really is no such thing as “routine.” The grim reality is that LODD is an inherent risk we face each day. We train for safety, we live and breathe safety, but this sort of tragedy happens in our business. As I was thinking about why this post, the true essence of Memorial Day hit me harder than it has in previous years. In the days leading up to Memorial Day, the media was full of stories relishing sacrifice, duty, and honor. However, at the time of this post, most stories have stopped and we are left with plagues, memorials, and occasional reminders. Statistically, every holiday that you are celebrating as a day off, First Responders, Healthcare Workers, and our Military go to work and sadly at the end of these days some do not go home. So as this Memorial Day passes, please remember those that pay the ultimate price for public safety throughout the world.
Sang, Lucia I Suarez. “Missouri Firefighter Paramedic Fatally Stabbed by Patient inside Ambulance.” CBS News, CBS Interactive, 28 Apr. 2025, www.cbsnews.com/news/kansas-city-firefighter-paramedic-graham-hoffman-fatally-stabbed-patient-ambulance/.
