Bad Weather Didn't Stop Ill. Crews From Saving Woman in Decatur

April 23--DECATUR -- When Joel Hadden went to thank the people she believes saved her life last month, she brought a curious collection of items: sandwiches, a bottle of pills, a packet of salt and a stained-glass lampshade.

The sandwiches were for three Decatur firefighters who, along with two paramedics from the Decatur Ambulance Service, maneuvered through more than a foot of snow to the Haddens' home at 2:15 a.m. March 25.

The salt, she said, represents the reason she fell when she got out of bed: There was not enough sodium in her body. She hit her head on the lampshade, which is noticeably dented, and the bottle of blood-thinning medication explains why the injury produced an "alarming" amount of blood before the first-responders arrived.

"Considering the situation of that night, I would say that was way above and beyond the call of duty, but they face worse things than that, I'm sure," said Hadden, 78, who spent four days in the hospital after her injury and received nine stitches. "These people, it's hard for someone like myself to realize the way that these people have dedicated themselves to saving lives, it doesn't matter who you are or what you are; this is what they are all about."

Police, fire and ambulance personnel regularly venture out in snowstorms, rainstorms, hail and tornado warnings. Sometimes conditions force them to drive slower than they would like, but weather "fit for neither man nor beast" is just part of the job.

"We're always cautious when we respond, and we know with weather like that, our responses are going to be delayed," Fire Chief Matt Sekosky said.

The same is true for severe spring weather: "If we anticipate a big storm coming in, we'll try to get geared up. You just prioritize the calls; you go to the most serious; you anticipate potential road blockages." The firefighters keep a chain saw in the truck to deal with downed trees.

Deputy Chief James Chervinko of the Decatur Police Department said police patrols don't stop for snow, rain, sleet or hail. In the event of a tornado warning, officers are often sent to the west edge of town to look for funnel clouds.

"They're out 24/7. They come in to work, and they are paid to go out on the street, and that's what they do," Chervinko said.

For the Decatur Ambulance Service, the main philosophy is, "Slow down, because if you can't get there, you're not going to help anybody," said CEO David Burkham. If ambulances get stuck in the snow, the service maintains several four-wheel drive vehicles that can pull them out.

City Manager Ryan McCrady said the police, fire and public works departments work closely together during severe weather.

"They train all the time, and training is very, very important because when you're in a tough situation, you don't have time to really sit back and analyze things," McCrady said. "You always tend to fall back on your training."

Hadden and her husband, Dean, met with the responding firefighters and paramedics April 11 at Fire Station No. 7. While she was effusive in her praise and gratitude, the first-responders answered humbly.

"We always kid people: Did you ever pay taxes?" firefighter Mike Taylor told the Haddens. "... We were paid for. You paid for us a long time ago."

Taylor was joined by firefighter Rick Warren and Lt. Doug Neff at the scene that evening. While they waited for the ambulance, Neff helped Dean Hadden plow his driveway so the vehicle could pull in safely.

Paramedics Danny Cox and Leanna Beck handled 14 calls that night, and they were forced to drive at a top speed of 25 mph across town in the heavy snow to reach the Haddens' residence.

"You don't really have to thank me, because I love what I do," Cox told Hadden.

She thanked him anyway.

[email protected]|(217) 421-6986