BRICE PRARIE, WI (WXOW)--The job of a first responder is a unique one. There at the moment someone needs help---knowing their response time could mean the difference between life and death.
The Brice Prairie Team of First Responders agree that follow-up with those they help is rare, but not by choice.
So, when the opportunity to follow-up with Ben Fiers, a 17-year-old from Holmen, came to them, the team jumped at it. Ben Fiers and his family met the team of responders at their station in Brice Prairie on Monday night. Eight of them were the first on the scene of Ben's car accident on Christmas Eve of last year.
Chris O'Hearn, President of the group said, the accident was 'pretty bad.' O'Hearn said the helicopter was on stand-by, and they made sure they had enough resources standing by.
Now, six months later, O'Hearn said the group was filled with amazement as they met Ben Fiers under what he calls, 'much better circumstances.'
"I don't really know if you can put words into it. It's just that amazing, I mean watching the initial reports from Caring Bridge, it really didn't look good and it seemed like everyday they were posting an update with a positive note to it and here to have relatively few deficits--it's amazing," said O'Hearn.
The whole group had the chance to meet both Fiers and his parents. After the night of the accident, the group of first responders said they felt especially connected to Ben, and wanted to help. Volunteers from the group of First Responders raised more than $8,000 dollars, and presented it to Ben and his Family on Monday night.
Fiers said he knows he is lucky to be here, that's why he said he can't say 'thank you' enough.
"I just want to say thanks, a big bunch," smiled Ben.
