'Last responders' play a less heroic role
The heroic behavior of first responders in the recent mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton has become all too commonplace. Such tragedies serve to remind us of essential priorities that are exemplified by the countless numbers of nameless first responders whose singular goal is to ease our pain and keep us alive while we are in harm's way.
As they care for us in crisis, they speak in hushed tones and provide reassurance as they focus only on the moment at hand and our immediate needs. As they apply their professional training with steadfast calmness, they are not interested in causes but remain focused only on effects.
Unfortunately, the efforts of first responders are almost predictably accompanied by last responders. In both El Paso and Dayton, the first responders had barely completed ministering to the injured and identifying the dead before the last responders appeared.
Last responders can usually be spotted by certain identifiable traits. Conditioned by their bureaucratic environment, they favor a well-crafted statement designed to elicit a distinct reaction rather than heartfelt response that might yield an unanticipated reception. Remarkably, they do not easily identify what needs attention at the time crisis.
In fact, they often welcome shifting the immediate attention to themselves. They are more interested in commenting rather than listening. Often their rushed judgments increase the tumult rather than engendering calm.
They see finding fault and blaming as a solution. They have been known to use a crisis to promote the immediacy of their goals and agenda. They do not allow for the immediate need for quiet, respect, restraint, humility, reassurance, and above all, peace that is required to commence the healing of such catastrophe.
A crisis is said to expose true character. In the aftermath of the El Paso and Dayton mass shootings, many of our political leaders were exposed.
Ronald Bearwald
Northbrook