Now that I am home and in the recovery mode I want to publicly thank everyone who came to my aid. On Jan. 10, I was snowmobiling with my son. We had just left home and were heading across a neighbor’s field to get on the trail west of Geneva. I was leading and missed the crossing over a drainage ditch. I was not going fast, but the stop was sudden when I ended up in the ditch. My son immediately called 911. The dispatchers wasted no time in paging out Geneva First Responders, who were on scene within what seemed like minutes. Geneva First Responders, Freeborn County sheriff’s deputies and Ellendale ambulance personnel on scene worked hard to immobilize me and get me out of the ditch. They transported me to a farm yard about a quarter mile away. Albert Lea Medical Center ambulance staff loaded me, and we were on our way to the hospital. All this happened in less than an hour.

I cannot thank the people involved enough for the quick response starting with dispatchers who started all the emergency responders rolling. To the Geneva Fire Department, a special thanks for taking time from their Sunday afternoon to come to my aid. I do not know how many responded, but I saw many familiar faces as they worked to get me to the ambulance. Being the accident was close to the line where Ellendale ambulance and ALMC ambulance responders go, both were there. Once in the hospital the emergency room personnel quickly accessed me, and I was on my way to Rochester for surgery.

Residents of Freeborn County should be proud of the network of volunteer fire departments, first responders and ambulance services we have. They take time out of their personal lives to train and prepare themselves to respond to fires, accidents and health emergencies. These people are dedicated and truly deserve to be stopped on the street and just say thank you.

Again, thank you, thank you, thank you.

Dan Kenison

Ellendale