In the Line of Duty
Community Service in Uniform
Community Service in Uniform
Some time ago I had the opportunity to do a photo essay on three men who put their lives on the line every day in service to communities in the Greater Cincinnati area. Cincinnati Fire Fighter David Poignard, Covington, Ky., Police Specialist Matthew Winship and Florence, Ky. Paramedic Chris Bucher will be quick to tell you that they are just doing a job, but in my all too short time following them while on duty it became clear that they were indeed extraordinary people performing a dangerous, difficult and extraordinary job.
Cincinnati fire fighter David Poignard at the Engine Company 23 station in East Walnut Hills.
Fire fighter David Poignard watches a little television after his meal at the Engine Co. 23 fire house in East Walnut Hills.
Poignard's turnout gear is always in ready position to ensure a speedy depature at the Engine Co. 23 fire house in East Walnut Hills.
Fire fighter David Poignard walks back to his truck after responding to a false alarm on an exceptionally hot late spring day.
David Poignard (R) hands off equiptment to Lt. Ronald Wilson as Engine Co. 23 responds to a woman having trouble breathing. Fire fighters are often first respondents on emergency calls so they must all be trained EMTs as well.
David Poignard (C) gives emergency care to a woman with distressed breathing.
David Poignard (C) gives emergency care to a woman with distressed breathing.
Poignard returns equipment used on an emergency call to his fire truck after the patient is delivered to Good Samaritan Hospital.
Poignard checks and stows an oxygen tank to his fire truck after delivering a patient with distressed breathing to Good Samaritan Hospital.
Fire fighter David Poignard in front of his locker in the sleeping quarters at the Engine Co 23 fire house in East Walnut Hills.
Covington Police Specialist Matthew Winship by his cruiser parked along the Ohio River.
10:02pm - Roll call at the beginning of third shift for the officers of the Covington Police Department. The shift runs from 10pm until 6am.
10:08 pm - Police Specialist Matthew Winship listens intently during roll call for the third shift. Winship has been doing the 10pm to 6am shift for the last 4 years.
10:10pm - Winship checks his taser at the end of roll call to make sure it is properly functioning before embarking on his shift.
11:01pm - Police Specialist Matthew Winship (R) responds with other officers to a domestic disturbance call with the added note that the suspect "reportedly likes to fight". The suspect, who does not live here, is found tresspassing on his girlfriend's the porch.
11:08pm - Winship (R) gives the suspect in a domestic disturbance call the choice to leave the scene and walk home to Newport or be arrested. Supporting officers act as back-up.The suspect chose to leave peacefully.
1:06am - Winship stops at a gas station near 4th and Greenup to assists Holly Smith, Jaylie Taylor and their two friends with a flat tire. Their spare was also flat and they had no lug wrench. Winship filled their spare and waited with the women until a tow truck arrived.
1:45am - Winship stopped to check out a suspicious man sitting in his car in an alley near MainStrasse. Turns out the suspect was about to inject drugs with a syringe . Specialist David Hoyle (C) assists in the arrest while Winship prepares to search the suspect.
1:53 am - Officer Winship continues to search through the suspects belongings for more drugs after arresting him with a loaded syringe. Both a white powder substance believed to be heroin and a second syringe were found.
2:18am - Police Specialist Matthew Winship arrives at the Kenton County Detention Center where he fills out paper work to drop off his suspect for booking. The suspect was formally charged with first degree felony possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Florence Fire Department paramedic Chris Bucher in the back of his emergency vehicle at the Claxton Station in Florence.
Paramedics Dave Dannemiller and Chris Bucher spend their morning between calls doing fire fighter training at the Florence Fire Department's Claxton Station. Paramedics must also be trained fire fighters to be ready for any occasion.
Chris Bucher (R) jokes with Captain Scott Knoll during training at the Florence Fire Department's Claxton Station.
Bucher hands a piece of apparatus up to Jamie Broughton and Mike Amend during training at the Florence Fire Department's Claxton Station.
Bucher spends his morning between calls doing fire fighter training at the Florence Fire Department's Claxton Station.
Bucher pulls a hose into place during training at the Florence Fire Department's Claxton Station.
Florence Fire Dept. paramedics Dave Dannemiller and Chris Bucher respond to a call at Plantation Drive at 11:37am.
Bucher assesses the condition of a semi-conscious woman the paramedic team finds seated in an armchair while U.C. paramedic student Rob Meister looks on and Dave Dannemiller checks her blood pressure. Paramedic students must log 32 emergency ride-alongs before graduation.
Chris Bucher (C) checks a monitor for the patient's vital signs while the rest of the paramedic team works to stabilize her before the trip to the hospital.
U.C. paramedic student Rob Meister and paramedic Chris Bucher continue to monitor the patient 's vital signs as the ambulance pulls up to the emergency room of St. Luke Hospital West.
