A HEALing Partnership
The Nest and the Ruidoso Fire Department have a long-established working relationship that is based on trust. The bond of trust between the two organizations is due to the friendship between HEALs’ executive director Coleen Widell, and the Ruidoso Fire Department chief, Harlan Vincent. “We trust each other and our trust trickles down to the rest of our staff,” Vincent said.
Recently, firemen have been recruited to conduct specialized safety trainings for the staff members of the Nest. “The Ruidoso firefighters recently conducted our annual fire extinguisher training at The Nest to ensure all of our professional Advocates were certified,” Widell said.
In addition, firefighter Cody Thetford trained and re-certified the shelter staff in CPR, First Aid and automated external defibrillator (AED) machines. “Anytime a trainer comes from us, Coleen filters, making sure we have the best person to do the job,” Vincent said.
The two organizations share similarities in the way they are run and in the fact both provide safety for the community. This common goal carries an important message. “It is about community safety,” Vincent said. “It takes everybody, each and every one of us, to police ourselves and use integrity in every situation,” Vincent said.
Another trait shared by both the firefighters and staff members of the Nest is that of being a first-responder in emergencies. Vincent said, “I feel like I have a partnership with every person who reaches out to help those who are battered,” Vincent said. Staff members of the Nest, as well as staff at the fire department, encounter countless situations where intervention is needed. Working together, both organizations share integrity and honor in the services and safety they provide for the community.
“When you are down in the trenches, your work colleagues become family,” Widell said. “It is certainly so at HEAL and I know Harlan would agree it is so at the Ruidoso Fire Department.”
Vincent was honored HEAL’s Heroes with Heart award in 2013 for his heroic efforts during the Little Bear Fire.