Thanksgiving ‘just another day’ for first responders
MANHATTAN (KSNT) — Not everyone gets to spend Thanksgiving with family and friends.
Lt. Samuel Spillman with Riley County EMS said for them it’s business as usual.
”We still have people that have had seizures,” Spillman said. “We have people that have fallen. Just different things like that that don't take a break for the holidays.”
Spillman has been with Riley County EMS for 15 years and was a volunteer firefighter prior. He said he doesn’t give much thought to clocking in on holidays.
“The sacrifice falls on our families” he said. “Our spouses, our kids. Being able to adjust, you know, if family comes into town. Knowing that, 'hey, you know, I might be here tomorrow, but I'm not going to be able to be here today,’ type of thing.”
Spillman said the working crew tries to have a meal together on the holiday — when the job allows. He also said Thanksgiving is as good a time as any to show support for local first responders.
"It's just another day for the 911 community,” he said. “The world keeps turning, there's still emergencies. If you know somebody; EMS, police, fire, dispatchers... tell them thank you."