Tragedy's toll on first responders

[KSTP-TV News, August 30, 2022] A tragic car accident Sunday in Ham Lake claimed the lives of two young children, their father and critically injured the mother and another child. The family had just left the State Fair after picking up the 6-month-old boy from a relative’s home and were driving westbound on Bunker Lake Boulevard Northwest near Butternut Street in Ham Lake.

Allina Health EMS sent four ambulances to the scene to help those injured.

“They perform their duties heroically, especially when that call involves children. Once that call is completed and the emergency vehicles have cleared, that’s when the reactions and emotions can flood a first responder,” said Renee Rosenberg, Allina Health EMS Operations supervisor.

Rosenberg also leads Allina’s EMS peer support programs that provide medics involved with critical events, like the Ham Lake crash, with additional assistance to help staff with their emotional needs.

“We’ve put a lot of resources to providing care for our responders,” Rosenberg said.