(Editor’s note: They run into danger while most run away from it. They work long hours and seemingly endless shifts. They are always there when citizens call for help. They are the first responders. From the men and women who answer the phones when a citizen calls 9-1-1, to the police officers, firefighters and paramedics who rush to help total strangers, they are the safety net that catches people when they fall — literally and figuratively. In today’s edition, we are launching a weekly series called “First Response.” We will ask a series of questions to a first responder, and give you a glimpse into the lives of these men and women who give so much to their fellow man.)
The police officers, firefighters, paramedics and dispatchers are your lifeline in an emergency. However, for many community members, those groups are just that — groups, nameless and faceless. We at The Era feel it is important to help strengthen the first responder-community bond, putting a face and a name to each of the people that make up these groups.
Each week, we will focus on different members of the first response teams. Each individual will answer a specific set of questions. We hope this will help community members recognize those who put their lives on the line for you at a moment’s notice. These first responders are people, too.
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Name: Stephen Green
Title/Position: School Resource Officer
Agency: City of Bradford Police Department
Length of time in position: 7 Years as SRO and 24 years as a Police Officer
What made you decide to become a first responder?
I wanted to work with people and try to make a positive difference in their life. I liked the idea of every day having different and unknown tasks at my job. I have always liked working with kids and helping them learn.
Who is your favorite superhero or super villain and why?
My Favorite superhero is Spiderman. I always admired him for using his mind and wits to defeat his foes. He was bullied and picked on in his life and used his own experiences with this to help others.
What is your favorite part of the job?
Working with the students in my school and learning how I can make a favorable difference in their life. Talking with and teaching them how to stay safe and make better decisions in their lives.
Tell us about your family and/or pets.
I am a Bradford native and come from a family with one brother. I have lived in Bradford my whole life.
What is one thing you want the community to know about what you do?
I would like them to know that I am not in our schools because it is unsafe or a dangerous environment. I am in the schools as a tool to help and guide the students on information about safety subjects that will help them in and out of school. I also help the students with problems they have and need assistance with both in school and at home.
