Sandi Savia, the EMS liaison at Boca Raton Regional Hospital, part of Baptist Health South Florida, blows a kiss through her mask to a Boca Raton Fire Rescue crew as they and more than 20 other first responder vehicles parade past the Emergency Room entrance on April 17. Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star
By Rich Pollack
Throughout south Palm Beach County, first responders and residents are showing support for hospital workers on the front lines battling the coronavirus.
On Friday evening April 17 more than a dozen emergency vehicles — lights flashing and sirens blaring — paraded past Boca Raton Regional Hospital as employees changed shifts.
“It was just an incredible experience,” said the hospital’s president and CEO, Lincoln Mendez. “Everyone felt it was very emotional.”
Dozens of hospital employees gathered at 7 p.m. April 17 to watch a parade of fire trucks and squad cars manned by first responders who drove by to honor them. Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star
The show of support — featuring representatives from Boca Raton’s fire rescue and police departments as well as from Delray Beach Fire Rescue, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue and the Broward Sheriff’s Office — was just one of many being held at area hospitals.
On Monday, April 20, first responders from Delray Beach Fire Rescue and Palm Beach County Fire Rescue were at Delray Medical Center to cheer on medical personnel, and similar events are planned for Bethesda Memorial Hospital’s two locations.
At Delray Medical Center, firefighters hoisted a huge American flag in front of the hospital and after a short presentation “took a knee” to thank hospital employees.
Delray Beach Fire Rescue personnel 'take a knee' out of respect for the staff at Delray Medical Center on April 20. Photo courtesy of Delray Beach Fire Rescue
Those events, as well as others throughout the county, are being coordinated by Palm Beach County Fire Rescue in conjunction with local first responders.
“It’s been a great morale booster not just for the hospital staff but also for the firefighters because they’re happy to show their support for our healthcare heroes,” said Tara Cardoso, a healthcare specialist with county fire rescue. “You can see the smiles underneath the masks.”
Appreciation of emergency medical personnel, as well as police, firefighters and paramedics, is also coming from community members.
In Highland Beach, for example, residents took to their balconies at 7 p.m. Friday, April 17, for a “clap out,” with some applauding and others banging on pots and pans to show support.
“It was quite loud,” said Highland Beach Mayor Doug Hillman, who helped get the word out to residents at Boca Highland Beach Club and Marina, where he is president of the board of directors. “The response was fabulous.”
At 7 p.m. on April 17, residents of the Boca Highland Beach Club & Marina in Highland Beach stood on their balconies to applaud first responders and healthcare workers on the front lines of the coronavirus outbreak. Pictured top to bottom, (l-r), Audrey Gluck, Sergio De Simone, Walter Jones, Pat Jordan, Rod Werner and Bob Caprice. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star
The clap out, promoted by the town through emails, started with one resident organizing her community but grew into a community-wide event.
Carol Wittenberg, of Regency Highland, originally organized a clapping event to thank the workers of her condominium and found that it was greatly appreciated.
“The look on their faces was phenomenal,” she said.
She decided to take a next step and organize an event to bring the town together in support of the medical community, first responders and others who are serving the public at their own risk.
“This shows our appreciation,” she said. “It sends a message that we can’t even begin to show how much we appreciate what they’re doing. They’re putting their lives on the line for us.”
At Boca Regional that message was well received by those who were on hand to see the first responders parade past the hospital — and even by those who weren’t there.
“I think all healthcare workers really appreciate the show of support,” Boca Regional’s Mendez said.
Comments