Stories From the Road: First Responder Stories

Chief Watson - "Small Town Rescue"

August 02, 2022 Phil Klein Season 3 Episode 3
Stories From the Road: First Responder Stories
Chief Watson - "Small Town Rescue"
Show Notes

“Everyone was working together at this point to free my cousin. You see a lot of animosity in some local volunteer fire departments – you know, some small-town issues and things like that. But at this moment, everyone was working for one common cause. I like to say it wasn’t even a vehicle extrication at this point, it was a disentanglement.” – Chief Watson

“Could it be someone I know?” Responding to an emergency is never easy, but when Watson and a crew are called to the scene of a motor vehicle accident in the vicinity where his family lives, Watson can’t help but wonder if he’s responding to an incident involving a relative. When first responders work where they live or once lived, calls from that area carry a different kind of weight.

Join former firefighter/paramedic and host Phil Klein whose guest, Chief Watson, recounts responding to the scene of a harrowing accident and the painful moment that he realized the life he was working to save was his cousin’s. With a rural location, limited equipment, dwindling time, gathering crowds, intrusive reporters, and escalating emotions all working against him, Watson shares how he regained focus and fought with the crew to free his cousin and get him on a life flight. He discusses how the call left him doubting his role as a first responder, his quest to better himself and his department by continuing to train and learn, and his ultimate decision to persevere and be the person he’d want showing up when he needed help.

We’re looking for guests for Season 4! Are you a first responder who has a story from the road you’d like to share? Visit the ‘Be A Guest’ section of the Stories From the Road website to learn more about the opportunity to be featured on an upcoming episode!  

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