Heartbreaking Letter to Community After Death of Paramedic

The Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association, which has been handling communications about the death of Bel Air paramedic Erik Steciak, released a statement on Wednesday that gave a glimpse into how the fire service is coping with the tragedy.

Steciak, 29, was killed Tuesday responding to an injured motorist whose vehicle had gone off road during the snowstorm. He was a paid paramedic in Bel Air; recently joined Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company; and was a captain and nearly 10-year member of the West Friendship Volunteer Fire Department in Howard County, where he lived.

In the aftermath of losing one of their own, the Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association’s communications officers penned a letter that was both heartbreaking and uplifting. Here is the letter, in its entirety.

As we prepare to lay Erik to rest, the fire and EMS companies involved want to take the time to thank everyone for the wonderful outpouring of support. We have received wonderful notes of sympathy and support from people who Erik has helped and touched through his job and his life. Even those who didn’t know Erik have been kind enough to take their time to express their condolences. It is simply nothing short of an amazing show of compassion and care.

The fire service is a family regardless of where you are from. The brotherhood and sisterhood reaches from town and city to county and state to nation. This is our support mechanism. This is who has our back on that next call. This is who we share meals and laughter and this is who we cry with. Today our family may have lost one of their own but it has grown in heart exponentially from the support and love we have received from those we vow to protect and serve. Today our family has gained a new member and that is YOU.

Thank you. RichG/JennCP

Editor’s note: Rich Gardiner and Jenn Chenworth-Price are the spokespersons for the Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association.

Related:

• Bel Air Paramedic Killed in the Line of Duty
• Funeral Arrangements Announced for Fallen Bel Air Paramedic
• Harford County Flags Lowered to Honor Fallen Bel Air Paramedic
• Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, Harford County Mourn Loss of Paramedic
• Bel Air First Responder Involved in Patterson Mill Road Crash

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