First Responders Update

Happy New Year! When I think about the past year, I am reminded of the outpouring of love and support shown to the Skidaway Island First Responders (SIFR) by this community where we are so privileged to live. Thank you to each one of you for reaching out on our behalf, sending texts, emails, cards, and the generous donations we have received. We are grateful. Serving this community, and taking care of all our neighbors is equally as humbling as it is gratifying. Although we still face obstacles for reasons WE will never fully understand, we will continue to work tirelessly trying to build back our team to be prepared at all times to be there for you at your worst and scariest moments.

As mentioned last month and many other times, please call 911 for all medical, fire, and police emergencies. The seven-digit number that has been stored in our brains for decades is no longer the best, nor most efficient, one to use. I know it can be scary and confusing when you are facing an emergency, but calling 911 must be the new norm for our community.

Lastly, and honestly most importantly, please remember when you are making the call to 911 that you do your best to have the physical address. If you say, for example, “I am on the pickleball courts at The Landings” you will be wasting valuable time. I implore all of you to put the physical address of every club in your contacts on your phone.

Very recently, we had a call where we were dispatched to the wrong address, and that took up valuable time for the patient. When we receive a notification and an address for said emergency, that is where we respond. Please, be mindful that the person answering your call has NO idea where the Fitness Center is. If you do not know the address by memory, look in your phone or ask someone around you.

It is 2025 and with each new year, we face new challenges and changes. That is true for our organization as well. This month, we will start training a new class of SIFR candidates, and we are beyond excited to add dedicated and committed volunteers to our team. Stay safe out there and remember, we are a community and should always take care of one another.