Government servants, more specifically first responders, touch every aspect of our life. They maintain law and order in our society, ensure the safety of the public is not compromised and also are the first people to arrive at situations such as fires and car collisions. It is because of them we can live our lives as comfortably as we do so we can focus on our daily tasks at hand.
One such department that ensures safety and order is the Police Department. They handle situations that involve civil disagreements and threats to public safety, and they ensure that the public is in order and no dangers are present. If a situation arises that regards public safety such as aggression from an individual, the police will handle the situation and they will oversee the situation until a conclusion is reached.
Here at LHS, officers like Mr. Wayne Kincaide make sure the school is a safe environment for students and staff and respond to any conflict, such as a fight or any other conflict that could affect student safety.
“I deal with accidents, I’ll deal with security issues that are here in the school, if there’s a fight or if there’s some sort of confrontation between students,” Mr. Kincaid said.
The police here at Libertyville and around the surrounding communities are always busy with cases, working around the clock while responding to emergencies to make sure everyone is safe.
“I find it fulfilling, especially right now, since I’m in the high school, [and] not only do I get to help protect you guys from people on the outside, I also get to interact with the students and give them insight as to being a police officer,” Mr. Kincaid said.
On the other hand, the fire department responds to emergencies that could potentially involve flammable hazards. Mr. Mike Pakosta, the Fire Chief at the Libertyville Fire Department, has been working at the Headquarters believes being a firefighter means you have opportunities to help others whenever they need help.
“What you’re doing is making a difference in their life, a positive difference, [and] it’s a very rewarding feeling,” Mr. Pakosta said.
Firemen work for 24 hours straight and get time off for 48 hours. This gives them plenty of time to pursue other interests as well as to rest and recharge.
First responders have tough jobs that might seem simple to a civilian, but these jobs can require a lot of energy and time to make sure the public is safe 24/7. Something as simple as an accident can be a lot more complicated than what meets the eye; first responders have to consider a lot more than whether the car has been damaged or if people are hurt. They are not easy jobs but at the end of the day, they are special and unique jobs that connect you to your community in ways a typical job wouldn’t.
