Amazing Things Can Happen On Down The Trail

By Charley Rosenberry

I was in quite an awful wreck in 1986, involving a flatbed semi truck that swerved into oncoming traffic hitting me head on. The first responding police officer called me in as a fatality. When fire and paramedics arrived, a paramedic got as close as he could to me to determine I was alive. However, the first fire rigs on scene didn’t have the equipment to extract me, so called for another station to bring the necessary equipment. While they waited, the paramedic kept encouraging me to “hang in there.” Mind you, I thankfully don’t remember any of the wreck and these details. I only heard them later.

I remember regaining consciousness several days after the wreck. 

Once I stabilized in the hospital, that paramedic came to visit me regularly. Our relationship continued after I was released from the hospital. When I progressed to mobility out of the wheelchair, I went to the fire station and spent an hour or so with the firefighters and paramedics who responded. Quite a memorable visit. I regretted losing contact with the paramedic over the years. 

Now, 34 years later, my wife, Lanora, works for the fire department. Since she was appointed MSO (Medical Services Officer) by Pierce County Fire District 13, she has mentioned a Commissioner in the Department who has been especially supportive of her and served as a valuable mentor. I was glad for that, of course. Then, several months ago, I went with Lanora to her Chief’s retirement party. Her Chief was highly respected throughout Pierce County, so there were lots of Fire Department brass from Pierce County, including Tacoma Fire & Rescue in attendance. When we entered the banquet hall, Lanora pointed out various people she’d mentioned over the years, including the supportive Commissioner who was across the room. I hoped I’d have a chance to meet and thank him that night for supporting Lanora. 

At the celebration, I got into a conversation with the MSO of the Tacoma Fire Department. During it, I told him that I owed my life to his Department. He was interested to hear the details.  I told him about the paramedic mentioned above, how he visited me and had to leave one afternoon after getting called to another emergency that was rather unique on the Narrows Bridge. When I mentioned the other call, the MSO nodded towards the Commissioner that Lanora had pointed out. The MSO said, “That’s him.” 

I went over to the Commissioner. I introduced myself as Lanora’s husband. I said, “And we’ve met before.” In over 30 years as a paramedic with Tacoma Fire, he remembered the wreck vividly. Time, location, circumstances… After we were both a little choked up, he regained his tough guy paramedic composure and said, “Yeah, I remember we told Dispatch, ‘We have an AFU.’ That’s All Fucked Up.” 

Since that reunion, the Commissioner and Lanora have become even closer. He could be her biggest supporter – not that she hasn’t fully earned his support and that of her entire Department. Lanora and I have spent some good times with this Commissioner and his wife at various Department events, and I suspect we’ll have more good times to come.

This story lifts my spirits any time and certainly in these times. It reminds me that it is possible that we can make it through the tough times, and that amazing things can happen on down the trail.