Who is Jonathan Godfrey?
This was originally posted by MJ Godfrey, Jonathan Godfrey’s wife, professionally known MJ Brickey as a comment on Facebook.
The expert Jonathan D. Godfrey (who aided in the SCDN series “Asleep at the Wheel”) was the sole survivor of the Life Evac 2 crash at DC’s Woodrow Wilson Bridge in 2005. Godfrey is also a safety and survivability researcher and presenter who works within the transport industry, has contributed to the CAMTS accreditation standards, and has helped transport programs worldwide develop safer practices.
Jeremy talked to the expert, my husband, and me for a moment and then had some personal business in which he needed to attend. I cried, telling Jeremy that I was so happy to hear that I would not have to see his kids and wife cross the stage this year to receive honors for his ultimate sacrifice, as I see so many kids and family do every year. It is an honor to be there for them, but so many of the deaths are unnecessary.
Please take the 4 minutes to watch and understand what the expert Jonathan Godfrey experienced first hand.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9D-CieJh5Y[/embedyt]
Since I am from Portsmouth and I am married to a national EMS safety and survivability expert, the press reached out to us — even the United States government gets his input. I have honored too many EMS from the Ohio Valley, as I am Washington, DC Liaison to the National EMS Memorial Service. Upon hearing the story, we were greatly concerned that the gentlemen in the ambulance would be reprimanded. We wanted to make sure they knew we were here for them — that is why we reached out to Jeremy.
The Gullet twins went to school and “grew up” in the same circles as my sister, Amanda. We honored Jennifer Cross, who was killed in a Portsmouth Ambulance crash in 2018, at the last National EMS Memorial Service alongside many others who were killed in ambulance accidents in EMS in 2018. We do not think that EMTs and other EMS are stupid at all — that would be oxymoronic as my husband is EMS, and I am in EMS by my work with NEMSMS.
We actually think they have a pathology that sends them into chaos to help those who need them. We believe they are heroes. But, heroes are human. Just like Sully taught us — we have to account for the human element every time. I am sorry you all feel as if you are being attacked, but — please, set the record straight — that it is certainly not by us. It was expressed to us that the media’s goal in this event was to stand up for the heroes — awareness is their call to action.
The media sees these stories all over the United States, and they see all the NEMSMS services we post — so many of which are ambulance crashes. We will still be here if anyone needs us. We know exactly how it feels. We have no ill will towards the ambulance service and will gladly offer free safety advice to prevent further loss of life.