Residents grateful at Responders Breakfast

More than 100 firefighters, police officers and supporters attended Trussville’s second annual First Responders Breakfast. The breakfast was at the Trussville Civic Center May 26. 

The event allows the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Trussville community the opportunity to say “thank you” to the police and fire departments for their service. 

Pete Blank with the Personnel Board of Jefferson County was the featured speaker. Blank has worked for CBS-42 as a sports reporter, and he also served in a variety of roles in the Walt Disney Company, the most recent being learning manager with Disney University. Blank is also author of “Employee Engagement: Lessons from Inside the Mouse House.” 

After Blank and his family survived an EF3 tornado in January 2012, he related first hand the importance of first responders and their sense of urgency. 

Blank’s home was leveled in the tornado, trapping him and his family below the rubble. They had to rely on first responders to rescue them. Blank said even after everyone was rescued, the police and fire departments visited the neighborhood for months. 

Unlike many professions, Blank said first responders didn’t choose a career where the need to be first is important. 

“You haven’t chosen a career where you have to sell somebody on the importance you have of being first,” Blank said. “For everyone else, being first is about the glory, being first is about being a champion, getting something for yourself whether it’s a trophy, an award, whatever it may be. For everyone else in this room who’s being honored today, it’s not about you and your glory, it’s about others.” 

With Blank’s background in news, he said for media, it’s all about being first, because there’s money being made when someone is first, but for first responders, they’re always first, even though the tasks they complete on a day-to-day basis aren’t always reported in the news. 

“Being a first responder isn’t about you, it’s about everybody else,” said Blank. “You go into danger and deal with the risk head on.” 

Overall Blank said he’s thankful to live in a community where first responders make Trussville a great place to live, work and play. 

“Being first in your mind is about giving to others, taking care of others and giving your best each and every day to this fantastic city,” said Blank. 

Before breakfast began, chamber President Melissa Jones welcomed those attending. Friends of the Trussville Library served the meal. 

Diane Poole, executive director of the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce, introduced Fire Chief Russell Ledbetter, Police Chief Don Sivley and Public Safety Chair John Griscom, and recognized all first responders in attendance. Sen. Shay Shelnutt and Trussville City Councilmen Alan Taylor and Anthony Montalto also attended. 

Sponsors included HESCO, Trussville Gas and Water, Massey Stotser and Nichols PC, Bryant Bank, The Grogan Agency, ACS Technologies, Inc. and Carr, Riggs and Ingram.