This is a printer friendly version of an article from the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune. Posted with the permission.
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May 27, 2009

First responder helps Our Lady Queen of Peace students on year-end countdown

By Adam Wise
Daily Tribune Staff

For a short time Tuesday, Mr. B became Mr. R to about 50 local students.

Brandon Abbott, a maintenance worker at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Grade School in Wisconsin Rapids the past four years, shared the other side of his life with students an hour before their recess.

Known as "Mr. B," Abbott explained and demonstrated parts of the Wood County Rescue vehicle he operates. As one of about 18 members of the strictly volunteer rescue organization, Abbott has been a licensed first responder for a year now.

"It's always been something that I wanted to do," Abbott said of the rescue role he takes very seriously.

The presentation was part of the school's alphabet countdown, which has students learning about a profession or activity beginning with a different letter for the final 26 days of the school year. Seven classrooms spread across kindergarten, first and second grades listened intently during "R" day.

"There's so many emergency vehicles that go by us almost on a daily basis," said Our Lady Queen of Heaven Principal Pam Fochs. "They (students) haven't been up close and personal with one."

The school is located near the Wisconsin Rapids Fire Department's west side firehouse. Within minutes of Abbott finishing his presentation at about 2 p.m., one of the department's ambulances was heard responding to an emergency call.

Previous countdown presentations included visits from the Veolia Environmental Services company, which showcased a garbage truck, and a presentation that featured pets from the South Wood County Humane Society.

"The countdown to the end of the school year is nice," said Carrie Mancl, first-grade teacher. "It's something just to make it special."

Mancl said presentations from law enforcement or rescue personnel help students become accustomed to seeing those individuals so that in the case of an emergency, they aren't frightened by them.

"I just want to let them know that in this profession, we're in it because we want to help people," Abbott said. "I could save somebody's life and that just means the world to me."

Students peppered Abbott with a variety of questions, covering topics ranging from the truck's various pieces of equipment to its lights and sirens.

Abbott, who knows many of the children's names, tried to relay the technical information in a way students could understand. The rescue volunteer has only given a presentation at his school, but he is interested in doing more at other sites.

Brandon Abbott of Wood County Rescue shows children at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Grade School the tools inside of the rescue truck Tuesday afternoon in Wisconsin Rapids. (Tom Loucks/Daily Tribune)