Millions of first responers across the nation rely on their families and communities as the backbone of their service. The children of first responders take part in their sacrifices and help them to bear the burdens they may carry day after day.
EMS, police and firefighter parents can testify: little hands can serve with the biggest hearts. Teaching children of first responders about the struggles their parents endure and the work they accomplish is essential for achieving a functional family.
But children of first responders aren’t the only youths that need to understand the duties and lives of public servants. Whether their parents are police officers, firefighters, EMTs or none of the above, all children are in need of resources and and educational materials to open their eyes to the servants all around them.
James Burd Brewster’s “Glad to do it series!” offers a window into the experiences of public servants through the use of real stories from real first responders.
First responder stories of all kinds
The “Glad to do it!” collection includes three series: “Officer Jack,” “Uncle Rocky, Fireman,” and “EMT Morales.” “Officer Jack” follows the police work of Officer Jack and Officer Kate as they serve their community by making arrests, rendering medical aid and responding to emergencies. “Uncle Rocky, Fireman” tells the story of Rocky Hill as he rescues people and animals and responds to fire scenes. And “EMT Morales” follows EMTs Morales and Flynn as they comfort patients and provide lifesaving care.
‘Glad to do it': Servants, not superheroes
Each book in the “Glad to do it” series unfolds as the characters recreate real incidents involving first responders. The real departments and public servants are highlighted and thanked in the beginning of each story.
At the end of every book, when thanked by the citizens they have assisted, respond by proclaiming “Glad to do it!” with a quick salute, an action intended to highlight their roles as “servants, not heroes.” Young readers are encouraged to join in the salute.
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In portraying real stories, the series aims to provide a realistic view into the lives of officers, EMTs and firefighters. The gratitude shown in every page — from citizens to their rescuers, from responders to their communities and to God at the end of each book — provides an example to follow for young readers.
“Through these stories, children learn that fire, police and EMTs are adults who can be trusted to help them,” Brewster stated.
Check out the series on Amazon
Uncle Rocky, Fireman
“New firefighter, Rocky Hill, arriving at his first fire is confronted by a frantic mother shouting, “Save my baby, Save my baby.” While his partners attack the fire Rocky, his heart pounding with the urgency of the situation, crawls through the upstairs searching for the baby trapped in her crib.”
“Ben and Luke are eating hotdogs at the air show when Luke spots a boy who is choking. Ben knows what to do, but can he and Luke act fast enough to save the boy’s life?”
“A fire alarm interrupts the planning meeting for the firehouse’s Annual Crab Picking Festival. When Bob, Big Joe, and Uncle Rocky return to the station, a house in their community has been gutted and a family is homeless without any clothing or furniture. They decide to help by turning the Crab Picking Festival into a clothing and furniture drive. As they plan for the big event, Ben asks the question they are all wondering, “Do you think people will help them out?”
“Winter’s cold temperatures have arrived, the rivers and lakes in Hamilton Township have iced over, and children are sliding on the ice. If the ice breaks or they become trapped on the ice, they will call 911 for help. Trained in ice rescue, Uncle Rocky wonders if his help will be needed this winter?”
Officer Jack
“Dispatch tells Officer Jack and Officer Kate a group of people have been hit by a car and several people are badly hurt. When they arrive before the EMTs, Officer Jack sees one lady is bleeding badly. Officer Jack and Officer Kate wonder if their first-aid skills will be enough to help her. Then Officer Jack remembers the “Tourniquet for Heroes” given to him just a week earlier.”
“Officer Jack and Officer Kate swore an oath to protect and serve the citizens of Hamilton Township. Ride along in The Adventures of Officer Jack as they do that by rescuing a woman from a sinking car, getting a baby to breathe, and retrieving a puppy from a dog-napper. Their commitment to their community extends to finding a lost lady, thwarting a robber, and running down and arresting home invading criminals. Like all first responders, when thanked for their service, they thank God they could help and say, “Glad to do it!”
EMT MORALES
“Please send an ambulance,” the woman pleaded.
“We are in the middle of a blizzard,” the 911 operator replied. “We will get an ambulance to you as soon as we can.”
EMT Morales takes the ambulance down the plowed road to the access road, but it is unplowed. Three feet of snow stops her. The Humvee she calls gets her to the mountain driveway, but can’t go up the incline. Is there anything left in her bag of tricks to get her up the driveway to the injured man?”
“A La Plata man calls 911. His wife isn’t breathing. He needs help right away.
La Plata police officers and Charles County EMTs race to the rescue while the 911 operator tells the man how to do CPR.
Corporal Smith arrives and takes over CPR from the husband. When the EMTs arrive, the woman is still not breathing. With all their equipment, can they save her life?”
All of the “Glad to do it!” books are available from gladtodoit.net.
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