Community, police, health staff deserve recognition for tent fire response

My name is Teresa Perryman and I am a community health nurse in Pond Inlet.

In August of this year, Pond Inlet suffered the terrible loss of a father and three children in a tent fire out on the land.

The mother and youngest son survived, but were burnt quite badly. I was not in the community at that time, but since my return home I have heard nothing but complements and praise for the nurses who were here in the community who dealt with this tragic incident.

I have heard spine-tingling stories of the heroism of the rescue out on the land and the exemplary care that was given on their arrival to the health centre. I think these people need to be recognized for their hard work and dedication.

But the praise must not end there. The support staff, every single one of them was present on that day to lend a hand, as were many people from the community. The RCMP was present helping out and keeping vigil with the community.

I have heard of the way people from the community helped, one just by following the nurses around the bed to open up the packages of gauze that they were applying to the many burns the patients had, food that was prepared, the coffee that was supplied and, of course, the many prayers that were said for the patients and health centre staff alike.

My heart overflows hearing these stories and makes me so proud to be part of this great nursing team, part of the health centre staff and of course part of this wonderful community.

Words cannot express how proud I am of each and every one of them.

Teresa Perryman, RN
Pond Inlet

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