Editor, Manteca Bulletin

When you hear a siren in town; pause, consider. Here is an inside-the-call reflection; a quote from a Memorial Service tribute.

“The Call, March 4: About 5 o’clock in the morning the phone rang, not an uncommon experience at Ripon Fire, Ripon Police usually gives us a heads up when a 911 call is coming in. However, this was different. I recognized the address as my parents’ home. The funny feeling in my gut started and grew into a sinking feeling as we responded to my childhood home. Something wasn’t right.

As I walked in the door, I knew I had to find my Mom. Thankfully, I was working with some great guys and wonderful Ripon Police officers. They had found Dad and were moving him to a better location to perform the necessary tasks. (He wasn’t breathing and didn’t have a heartbeat.) I found Mom and the look on her face was a mirror image of what I felt inside. It was anxiety, fear, the unknown; somewhere between being in a fog and being hit by a freight train.

While the guys worked on Dad, Mom and I prayed; well, she prayed and I was scared. About 20 minutes of hard and intense work by the guys, it was determined that nothing further could be done for Dad. It was a hard decision for everyone. I think especially for the guys; they tried so hard; and for that I’m deeply appreciative. My deepest thanks to Pete, Jeff, Tim, Ryan. Art, Officer Staley, Sergeant Meece, Chief Bitters, and other First Responder personnel.

Thank you Ripon Fire and Ripon Police for the personal and professional commitment to our City’s Emergency Services.

Further quote: “I think it was around 6:30 a.m. that two of our firefighters, Ryan and Chad, showed up with a bouquet of flowers and a card signed by everyone who had responded to the call and had tried to help Dad. Where they got them at that hour I’ll never know. But I was floored. These guys may not be my blood family, but they are my family.”

Thank you to our Lord, professionals, family and friends as we reflect upon the harsh unforeseen flanked by gracious care.

Carol and Greg Bauman

Ripon

March 15, 2014