It's February in Tampa and that means many great things are happening.  The Florida State Fair is in full swing, people are training for the Gasparilla Distance Running Classic, and the weather is that perfect mix of warm and cool.  February is also the time when cupid is shooting his arrows as Valentine's Day takes center stage.  For me, Valentine's Day isn't just about flowers, jewelry and chocolate.  It's a day dedicated to showing love, friendship and compassion to those important in our lives or to those who just need help during a personal crisis.

As you may know, my favorite time of the month is when I can go out after traditional business hours to visit our evening 2-1-1 and TransCare staff.  So, it was particularly meaningful when I found myself outside of the St. Joseph's Hospital emergency department a bit after midnight on Valentine's Day.  It was an extremely busy night in the ED, and we had several of our TransCare crews delivering patients almost at the same time.  EMT partners Jessica and Angela brought in a patient who had experienced a severe bicycle injury and was in extreme pain; supervisor Lucas was involved in assisting an elderly patient who had wondered outside the ER in her wheelchair, looking for help; and finally, EMT Andrew was providing 2-1-1 cards to a woman in clear distress who was being escorted into the ED by a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Deputy.  In each of these cases, I witnessed heart-felt care and compassion by our staff to those patients facing a crisis.  It was a tangible reminder of how important our mission is - ensuring no one in our community has to face a crisis alone.

But the ED was not the only place I observed our staff showing care and compassion on Valentine's Day.  Our 2-1-1 call center experienced a high number of suicide calls that night, including three that required 9-1-1 intervention to keep those callers safe.  As you can imagine, these calls are incredibly stressful and require a combination of expertise and humanity that is humbling to witness.  Throughout each call taken on Valentine's Day, our 2-1-1 staff showed unwavering support to those truly struggling and in extreme crisis.

As you know, stories like these are the norm, not the exception at the Crisis Center.  Still, on a day like Valentine's, it's comforting to know that whether you call 9-1-1 or 2-1-1, our Crisis Center staff will show you love, support and compassion during your most vulnerable moments.

Wishing you a Happy Valentine's Day

Clara