Simplicity Is Needed in a Rescue Mission

By Joan Janzen

This week’s joke goes like this …. The news report said “Police are trying to rescue a cow lost in a Cannabis field. The steaks have never been higher.”

Western Canadians heard about a rescue as they watched images on their screens showing a retirement facility in Saint Albert, Alberta being consumed in flames. However everyone was surprised to hear about the identity of the brave rescue team.

Two teens were on their way to the basketball courts to have some fun when they saw smoke spewing out of the retirement home. The 17-year olds didn’t hesitate before parking their car and heading to the burning building.

Although they didn’t talk to each other about how dangerous the situation could be, they did check in at the entrance with the nursing staff before heading inside to help with the evacuation. They proceeded to bang on doors, take a quick look inside to check for seniors, and if no one was there, they went on to the next door.

Starting on the top floor, they worked their way down. “We tried to get everyone out as fast and as calmly as possible,” one teen said. “We did the best we could.” The other teen said all he was thinking about was not missing anyone and leaving them stuck in the building.

Soon a friend of theirs arrived as the fire started to get out of control. He too didn’t hesitate, but immediately helped evacuate people from the back side of the building. He rescued pets and carried an elderly lady down the stairs.

As an explanation of their immediate courageous response, the boys said they were just doing what was right. “I was raised to help people regardless of what was happening, and so my first instinct was just go in there and help everyone you can and get out,” one of the boys said.

When discussing rescue procedures, Canadian MP Pierre Poilievre said, “Simplicity is something you desperately need in a time of crisis.” Those three boys simply saw a crisis and headed towards it to help out.

Poilievre interviewed Todd Doherty, MP for the Cariboo-Prince George riding, who has introduced a bill that will create a new 988 suicide prevention hot line, and simplify the process of saving lives. Back on September 11th, 2020, parliamentarians unanimously supported a motion for a simple suicide prevention hotline.

“Now the bill is tabled to change the Telecommunications Act to mandate that this suicide prevention number be implemented within one year of this bill becoming law,” Doherty said. “When minutes count we need to do everything we can to remove the barriers for those seeking help.” And there’s a lot of people seeking help.

The University of Calgary found that a one percent increase in unemployment results in a two percent increase in suicide. They also know that every twenty-four hours, eleven Canadians die by suicide, and those numbers are likely higher as Canadians face an economic and mental health crisis.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death in children, and the children’s help line has seen a spike in calls. Add an increase in substance abuse and domestic violence, and you can clearly see the need for a simple 988 suicide prevention number.

People on the other end of the line are trained to listen. A long time ago, Doherty was involved in training volunteers to listen on crisis lines. His experience caused him to observe, “The hardest thing to do is to turn to your own family, so sometimes the anonymous voice on the other end that is trained with empathy can make a difference between a life saved a life lost.” People will be able to call that number without anyone looking down on them.

“We have to get back to taking the time to ask others how they are doing,” Doherty advised, as he is trying to shorten the distance between crisis and help.

Yes, simplicity is something that’s desperately needed in a time of crisis. Whether it’s calling 988 for help, or it’s teenage boys who simply run to a burning building and begin evacuating seniors. Canadians need to hear more stories about people being rescued.

You can contact me at joanjanzen@yahoo.com