24-Hour Rescue: First on Scene to Respond Racing to Save Lives and Each Other

By Michael R. Wholihan

Which team of assembled first responders will win the 10th Annual outdoor race along the Hudson River.

A competitive race unlike any other comprising of survival, skill, teamwork, search and rescue. Six teams representing different regions from across the nation must find a way to cross the finish line in-time together.

First responder teams will save the lives of others and their own. They face a constantly changing, brutal race schedule of the infamous 24- Hour Shift.

A 24-Hour Shift of…

Brotherhood      Survival K-9 History Sisterhood Family The Job Purpose Community Preparation Service Tactics Outdoors EOW-Fallen Competition Faith

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jun 30, 2023
• ISBN: 9798823010726

Michael R. Wholihan

Michael R. Wholihan, EMT, Ed.D. Michael is a part-time EMT for his local community. His grandparents honorably served in World War II for the U.S. Army, Marine Corp, and Woman’s Auxiliary Corps. His father served in the Vietnam area for the U.S. Army as an Officer. Michael has been the recipient of the Fostering Minority, Women, Veterans and Underserved Populations Award and the State Ambassador of the Year Award. Both recognition awards were for his work in economic development with small businesses. Michaels initial publication, Educating Entrepreneurs: Strategies to Develop Small Businesses, was his doctoral dissertation from a Division I, AAU National Research University. Michael and his wife are raising two children with medical special needs, one via adoption. He counts his many blessings and is grateful for each day.

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© 2023 Michael R. Wholihan. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 06/30/2023

ISBN: 979-8-8230-1074-0 (sc)

ISBN: 979-8-8230-1073-3 (hc)

ISBN: 979-8-8230-1072-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023911483

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

24-CONTENTS

Story Behind the Story

Prologue

PART ONE

Time of Reckoning

Chapter 1 It’s All Coming Together, Sort Of

Chapter 2 Hurry Up and Wait

Chapter 3 Ready or Not

Chapter 4 A Ruck & Roger That

Chapter 5 Game On

Chapter 6 Squared Away

PART TWO

Situational Awareness         Shifts 1 – 12

12:00 pm Scenario #1: Mass-Casualty

1:00 pm Travel #1

2:00 pm Regroup/Rehydrate #1

3:00 pm Aptitude #1: Relay

4:00 pm Travel #2: Giddy Up Bike

5:00 pm Regroup/Rehydrate #2

6:00 pm Scenario #2: Hostage

7:00 pm Travel #3: Parade Route

8:00 pm Regroup/Rehydrate #3

9:00 pm Aptitude #2: Search

10:00 pm Travel #4: Hitch A Ride

11:00 pm Regroup/Rehydrate #4

PART THREE

Take A Punch         Shifts 13 – 24

12:00 am Scenario #3: House Party

1:00 am Scenario #4: Industrial

2:00 am Regroup/Rehydrate #5

3:00 am Aptitude #3: Riddle

4:00 am Travel #5: Cruise

5:00 am Regroup/Rehydrate #6

6:00 am Aptitude #4: Air, Land, Sea

7:00 am Travel #6: By Motorcycle

8:00 am Regroup/Rehydrate #7

9:00 am Scenario #5: Hikers / EOW

10:00 am Aptitude #5: Tribute

11:00 am Travel #7: Sprint

PART FOUR

Got Your Six

Chapter 7 Godspeed

Chapter 8 The Harder the Better

Chapter 9 Good Intel

Chapter 10 Eyes on Target

Epilogue

Supplement #1

Supplement #2 Balance

Acronyms

Illustrations

Appendix

Authors Note

Final Note

About the Author

- Also Available -

24-Hour Rescue

Adapted Screenplay

by

Michael R. Wholihan

Dedications

To parents of adopted, foster, and medically

challenged children, your time in Heaven awaits.

To the family and friends of Line of Duty deaths,

your sorrow is shared in deepest sympathy.

24-STORY BEHIND THE STORY

To the Readers:

Hello, my name is Mae and I want to give you a little history behind the book you are about to read. My Godfather, Fred, was a first responder. He was employed by the Parks and Recreation department. Fred assisted on search and rescues at a state park with the K-9 patrol.

He used to tell my siblings and I great stories of true wilderness escapes as we were growing up. Not just about lost people, but lost pets too. After he was called home to be with the Lord, his wife - my aunt Kathy - came upon this story you are about to read. We don’t know if he finished the story or had more chapters to add when he passed.

My brother John and sister Pearl worked with a publisher to share this story with you. None of us ever knew that he was writing it or what plans he had for the story. This is our collective effort to honor Fred and his love of the job. It wasn’t just his career; it was his purpose for living.

Sincerely,

Mae Bantry

24-PROLOGUE

Racing to 24-Hours of Rescues

At this time of year the tips of the hickory, oak and maple trees along the Hudson River start turning their majestic foliage colors. The long-anticipated race week, brewing in the minds of the local residents. The glorious landscape is magnified showing the early change of season has now arrived in the New England states.

Walking around the bustling town of Powwow, one can see how the citizens are reacting in joyful expectancy. They are still wearing summer shorts during the evenings with light jackets that were just pulled out of the closet after a five-month hiatus. Exercise enthusiasts and crew rowing teams from area schools are up early for practice on the river. They hope to catch that smooth glass-like lake surface with the strong underlying current of the river. As they glide along the water’s edge, passing the quaint river towns, they see citizens bustling with preparations for the long-awaited race weekend in September.

If you have never visited this part of the country in the fall, add it to your bucket list. The week leading up to the First Responder: 24-Hour Shift race is about to begin.

Six competing teams have arrived in the host city nestled along the southwestern side of the magnificent Hudson River. These eight-member teams each represent a different region of the United States. Every team member must be a professional first responder. The goal of the race is to earn points as the teams compete in emergency mock medical scenarios and team-based aptitudes with several surprise elements along the way. All six teams have an assigned local news correspondent to report on their progress during the race.

We are also introduced to a young journalist who is considering a career change. She just does not know it yet.

Which team of assembled first responders will win the 10th annual outdoor race? It’s a competitive race unlike any other comprising of survival, skill, teamwork, search and rescue. The six teams must find a way to cross the finish line. They face a constantly changing, brutal schedule of the infamous 24-hour shift.

To become familiar with the first responders and the main characters mentioned throughout this story, the following is a brief description of their noted professions as indicated:

First Responders Racing to 24-Hours of Rescues

PART ONE

Time of Reckoning

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24-ONE

First on Scene     First to Respond

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IT’S ALL COMING

TOGETHER, SORT OF

- Saturday August 25th 7:19 am EST – Toledo, Ohio, USA -

O n an early fall morning outside of a hospital emergency room entrance, two colleagues are about to meet at a picnic table. A nurse stands dressed in thin scrubs, on a quick break from work, trying to stay warm by rubbing her hands together on an unusually cool dawn. A noticeably physically fit gentleman slowly approaches the outdoor table and waves a familiar hello.

She replies, Hey Hawk, what are you doing here? I just got your email. What’s up? Hawk, a volunteer fire fighter, politely says, Nice to see you too, Haley.

Hawk has a question that he needs to be run by her. The two friends step inside for warmth. Haley wonders what Hawk is about to ask her since he seems so serious. Hawk immediately gets to the point by indicating the pending deadline for next year’s First Responder:24-Hour shift race that is just one month away. He has been considering putting together a team.

That’s a big Hell Yes! from Haley. The two start mentioning names of other first responders they think would be a good fit for the team. They know it would be incredible just to be selected for the race and are willing to submit the application. With a lot of effort and some definite prayers Hawk believes they will have enough time to meet the submission deadline.

Forming a team could be a lot of fun or a cause of multiple migraines for both of them. A draft list of potential candidates begins to unfold. Hawk already has a list of prospects he would like to hopefully be on the team. Some live and work in Michigan across the Ohio state borderline but that is acceptable to the race rules. Haley reads over Hawk’s list and begins writing down additional names that she prefers. To form a team the group must consist of one of the following:

1. Fire Fighter

2. Police Officer

3. Emergency Medical Service – Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Paramedic

4. 9-1-1 Dispatcher

5. Corrections

6. Park Ranger Law Enforcement

7. Rookie Recruit – Any First Responder Profession

8. Health Care Worker – i.e. nurse, social worker, physician

A young Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) named AJ is approached first and was referred to Hawk by Haley.

AJ is over eager with most things in his young life. He knows Haley from their frequent interactions in the emergency room. Haley and Hawk both like AJ’s energy and stamina. He works two weekly 24-hour shifts as an EMT and does not think much about what will be required from him in the race. He quickly volunteers to head up the video portion requirement of the application. The video needs to be unique since there will be a significant number of applicants all hoping for that same chance to be selected. Especially since there are only six teams that participate in the annual, national race.

There is a non-refundable entry fee of $200 with each application. Multiply that amount by over 100 applicants typically and do the math. Those funds are used to cover the expenses of the race by a non-profit organization.

The emails, phone calls, and texts are sent out by Haley and Hawk to recruit a team with an immediate request: ‘Respond ASAP (as soon as possible) upon receiving this message. We need an answer if you are in or out. Any questions, call me." Their list of possible team members goes out to ten specific first responders. Five on Hawks list and five from Haleys list. They have three confirmed, seven more to go.

AJ asks if a fellow paramedic, Anna Marie, from his EMS station can be invited to join the team. Hawk and Haley do not know her. They will consider her as an alternative since Haley has already considered another paramedic named Aimee with this formidable team. Haley is on board to be the nurse for their team. She texts and asks her best friend, Sadie a police officer lieutenant, to join the team and cover the law enforcement component of the application. Haley is not willing to include her younger brother who is a park ranger police officer. This selfish decision on her part will lead to further complications.

Hawk contacts Erin, a dispatcher with the county 9-1-1 call center to gauge if she would like to be on the team. Erin would make herself available for the weekend race if her dad Hank, a youth corrections guard can also join.

Erin’s dad is well known in the first responder community due to an unfortunate situation dating back years ago. Hank was a recent police academy graduate. A few months later his partner died on the job as they saved two trapped children from a car accident scene. It shook the whole community.

Haley is surprised by Erin’s request. They are looking for those in strong physical and mental shape. Erin thinks he would jump at the chance. He has talked about the race competition for years and watched it on tv together when it started several years ago. Erin has no expectations that the team will actually be chosen but will tell her dad anyway just to cheer him up. Hawk and Haley agree they can both be on the team. Half of the team is set.

Erin understands that her dad is currently trying to give her the space she needs as a young, independent woman. But Hank is still a dad, and Erin is his only child. He’s an emotionally affectionate father who still yearns for any moment they can spend time together.

The Midwest team is now starting to take shape. So far, they have: nurse Haley, fire fighter Hawk, EMT AJ, police officer Sadie, youth corrections officer Hank, 9-1-1 dispatcher Erin, paramedic Aimee, and maybe a certain park ranger. To compete, they must fill all eight positions. They have seven first responders for sure and one more to confirm for the required eight team slots. Sadie knows that Haley is a strong no for allowing her brother Luke to be on the team. She asks one of her metro-park LEO (law enforcement officer) partners Theo, to join.

The new teammates are all familiar with the history of the race, even though none of them have ever thought about making an attempt to form a competitive team until now. The commitment requires six teams to travel to the Hudson River valley for five days and four nights. Since this is an actual race, each person must have the ability to sustain the rigorous demands associated with the one day relentless 24-hour endeavor.

Haley asks the teammates for a vote if they should have two sets of family members on the team just to appease Sadie. Hank says if he and his daughter cannot be on the team together, he is out. Haley quickly tells Hank that he and Erin are fine. Haley was referring to herself and younger brother, Luke, who is a park ranger officer. Haley says it is nothing personal, referring to her brother but knowing full well that it is totally personal. Still, she insists on Theo Corwin as the park ranger officer. This would put her brother Luke as an alternative. The team is set, all eight position slots with two alternatives.

The teammates agree on showcasing their individual strengths and group dynamics for the submission video.

It will be a combination of humor and compassionate sensitivity often used as a coping strategies to get through a difficult shift among fellow first responders. The video is relatable to anyone who has been first responder. The video depicts medical scenarios that show how the team thinks and works within tough, unpredictable problems on the job.

AJ proposes that the situation should be two re-enactments. The team agrees. Their video will depict emergency scenes showing how the team will work together. There will be six scenes to fit the video timeline.

The five-minute video can be streamlined with voiceovers and music once Hawk and Haley get the others to agree on AJ’s storyboard production editing.

Video scene #1 is a re-enactment displaying a 9-1-1 dispatch with the team being called to the scene of a hoarder. The crew has to figure out how to get a 350-pound patient down the stairs of a second story home from an upstairs bathroom. Especially since the patient cannot fit on the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) stair chair equipment. Calling the Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) for a bariatric lift assist is the best viable option.

For video scene #2, from the next 9-1-1 dispatch call the team rushes an autistic toddler with severe asthma to the closest children’s hospital. The moms frantic and can’t remember what the child’s allergies or what prescribed medications the child could possibly be taking.

The submission video scene #4 introduces each team member, their profession and different medical response techniques. The standing joke with the 24-Hour Shift race is that at least they do not have to complete mandatory charting or reports as they treat simulated patients for 24 straight hours.

At the start of the Midwest application video, the team gives a nod to the South team who was last year’s winner. Erin, AJ, Haley, and Sadie are each wearing South Carolina or Georgia hats. The four of them tip their caps and then toss the hats toward the camera lens.

In unison, the four of them say, Great job on your win last year South team, but this year our Midwest team is ready to win it!

Video scene #4 shows a progression with an aerial view from a drone circling the team’s police headquarters, the EMS station, the fire engine house, the youth corrections location, the Emergency Room (ER) of a hospital, a metro park police station, and finally the county 9-1-1 dispatch center.

Video scene #5 continues with snippets of the eight players going through their simulated trainings. Hawk is on a fire truck ladder. AJ and Aimee are resuscitating a safety mannequin. Haley is working in a surgical operating room. Sadie and Theo are out on patrol. Erin is taking a 9-1-1 dispatch call. Hank escorts a youth offender from a court room. The video highlights their real lives for the race preparations. It’s a genuine reflection of the team members. They hope the race judges recognize its’ authenticity.

As for the final scene #6 the teams are asked to answer this question: Describe one significant factor your team values as first responders which is unknown by your community: The response by the Midwest team states:

When we receive a call to be dispatched by our county 9-1-1 center often the police are first on scene or arrive at the same time. At residential and commercial sites, people always ask, Why are the police here? The question typically comes up, especially when the 9-1-1 call is medical or trauma related. No laws have been broken or a crime reported. Thankfully in our community, the police arrive to protect the fire fighters and EMS crews. If that does not happen and the police do not arrive, there is a higher potential for more danger or further injury. This can create additional patients needing more medical attention at an unsafe scene.

We know this is not possible in some rural areas and certain regions where police budgets have been reduced.

If you see a law enforcement officer in an emergency wing of a hospital, their posted position is often for the safe keeping of health care workers and visitors. We respect and admire our local peacekeepers for always watching our six.

Thanks in large part to AJ and Haley, the application is complete and will be submitted by the deadline. Before the application is sent, the newly formed team needs to meet once again. They contemplate and propose different names for their team. Each of the six regional teams are required to have a unique branded name which will be featured on their racing t-shirts. So they are not just referred to as the Midwest team.

About five weeks later, past the submission deadline, there has been no announcement made yet, as applicants from across the nation fret in anticipation. On the third Friday in November at 4:30 pm, Hawk receives a text and email.

It reads:

Attention 24-Hour Shift race candidate. A pre-welcome packet will be mailed out this week. Your team must sign and agree to the legal contract stipulations. If the packet is not received back by the stated deadline your application will be null and void.

Hawk calls Haley, and she summons the team for a meeting to review the pending acceptance to the race. Excitement is in the air.

A week later, Haley receives an email from the Race Organizations Selection Committee congratulating them on their nomination as a finalist for the race next September. This does not mean they are one of the final six teams. It just indicates they are in the Top 10 with no guarantees of being placed as one of the final six.

Hawk and Haley notify the team again and call for a breakfast meeting.

Theo sends Hawk a text telling him he got injured on the job over the weekend and will require some physical therapy for several months. It is clear from the message that Theo, a park ranger officer, is off the team. Hawk notifies Haley and Sadie since Theo is a member of her police unit. Sadie is sad for Theo and visits him the next day at the hospital. But inside, Sadie is overjoyed at the prospect of Luke being on the team, if only Haley will bring it up for a vote.

Aimee, the paramedic, tells Haley that her hope is to get pregnant this year. This comes after her recent unfortunate second miscarriage. If she gets pregnant, she does not want to jeopardize her health condition in any way. She tells Haley that she has decided to back out. This opens the spot for Anna Marie, which makes AJ ecstatic. He can’t wait to call her with the good news. Although Anna Marie, a retiring paramedic, is grateful to AJ for the invite to be on the team, the two of them have often clashed over AJ’s abrupt style on scene with patients. Anna Marie, the Paramedic is in.

With that, the new team is almost set: Anna Marie and AJ (EMS), Hank (Corrections), Erin (Dispatch), Haley (Nursing), Hawk (Fire), Sadie, and maybe a long shot of Luke (Law Enforcement).

The team makes one last vote for a captain. Anyone on the team is eligible. They all agree no one can vote for themselves. Since Hawk started the process, it’s a 7-1 vote. Votes from Aimee and Theo were included in the count. Hawk receives an updated message from the race headquarters. It reads:

The following week, four of the final teams selected have been demoted to alternatives. Hawk and Haley’s team are now the national representatives from their Midwest geographic region.

On the following morning the team meets for breakfast at one of their favorite dives. Hawk can barely hold back his excitement and tells the group before their drink orders are even taken. Hawk chooses his words wisely, but in a commanding tone emphasizing he is in it, to win it. Midwest has not won the weekend race since the second year of the event. Achieving the finish line is not the goal. This is a winner-takes-all race with no pointless participation trophies. He trusts the others have just committed themselves to the same purpose.

Twice a month leading up to the race, the eight team