Heroes on the Frontline

Words: Leeta Liepins
Photo by Kevin Mills / Mission Record

Over the years, our popular television dramas have romanticized frontline workers. The lives of these professionals have been portrayed as filled with intrigue and fascination as they move from episode to episode, effortlessly falling in love and saving lives—at times doing both simultaneously!  

The truth is undoubtedly a vastly different story for our hard-working firefighters, police officers, EMTs, paramedics and emergency room nurses and doctors.

For our heroes working to keep us safe during the pandemic, the reality is assuredly grittier and more depressing than portrayed. Exposed daily to an overwhelming and ever-increasing number of emergencies due to COVID-19 and its destructive fallout, these courageous people work longer hours, coping with conditions for which some aren’t entirely trained. The alarming global state of affairs has brought about countless unforeseen situations that could not have been predicted by any experts. 

First responders have had to confront a multitude of mental health issues coupled with an overwhelming increase in drug overdoses. The horrific COVID-19 virus has added yet another layer of complexity to these delicate yet dangerous interactions that go on daily, even hourly, and typically far from the eyes of our average reader.  

Consider the fact that these incredible humans persevere amid disaster and the constant challenges they face to do their jobs within our community.The next time you hear that siren wail, express a well-deserved thank you to these dedicated men and women on the frontline. Remember that these are the people who go above and beyond to provide a much-needed modicum of comfort while the world weighs heavy with worry and fear of what the future has in store.  

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長久以來，大受歡迎的電視連續劇無疑將前綫人員浪漫化。隨著劇情的深入，這些專業人士被描繪成過著令人着迷的生活，無論是墜入愛河，還是挽救生命都似乎毫無費力，有時甚至兩者同時進行！但對於奮戰在一綫的消防員，警員，急救人員，急診室的護士和醫生而言，現實生活則是截然不同。

全球大流行帶來無數不可預知的狀況，對那些確保我們安全的一綫英雄們來説，現實生活的嚴峻與沮喪超乎我們的想象。肆虐的新冠疫情令緊急事件激增，前綫人員每天都在風險中超時工作，在某種情況下，甚至還沒有接受培訓的情況下迎頭而上。 

同時，急救人員還得面對精神健康問題以及越發嚴重的過量吸毒危機，在很少，或幾乎沒有適當的安全防護設備的情況下幫助病患，甚至無法充分保障自身或公衆的安全。他們極具風險性的日常工作通常會令普羅大衆望而卻步，而來勢洶洶的新冠病毒更爲他們的工作帶來更大挑戰。

考慮到這些可貴的一綫人員堅持不懈地努力工作，考慮到他們面對的重重挑戰，也許下次聽到刺耳的警笛聲時，與其抱怨連連，不如為這些勇敢的人們送上一聲感謝。要知道，正是這些忘我的一綫人員在這個沉重和令人擔憂的當今世界，爲我們雪中送炭，帶來慰藉。他們，當之無愧。