By Kevin Boneske
Staff Writer
HOBART – EMT International was recognized Tuesday, January 4, by the Village Board for the support the business provided to local law enforcement during a domestic violence incident last month in Hobart.
The resolution approved by the board states that upon noticing the large response Dec. 15 from the Hobart-Lawrence Police Department, as well as other surrounding agencies, “Paul Rauscher, owner of EMT International, was quick to act and offered his business to law enforcement as a staging area and eventual command post, providing a warm and secure area…”
Village Administrator Aaron Kramer said the board’s action marks the second time ever the Hobart Volunteer Award was presented to “acknowledge individuals, businesses (and) groups within the community that have performed above and beyond that do things without being asked, do things without compensation, do things just to make Hobart a better community.”
Kramer said the incident, which resulted in the suspect dying of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, was a difficult and trying situation.
“I’m very happy to say everybody came home from those departments safe and sound, but one thing that struck me that evening – talking to a very exhausted police chief – was right away he mentioned the role that EMT played during the day’s events,” he said. “We talked about it more the next day, and right away, obviously, it rose to the level of this acknowledgement.”
Kramer said the Hobart Volunteer Award “shines on the better side of humanity and the better side of our community.”
“It’s a way, I think, for our law enforcement people, as well, to say ‘thank you,’ in addition to the village,” he said.
Police Chief Randy Bani said EMT International and all of its employees provided a group effort to help out the day of the incident.
“(EMT International’s site) was extremely warm, quiet, safe, a great environment for us to work our command post, our negotiations center, our break room,” he said. “I worked closely with (EMT employees) Connie Fink and Mark Weber, and Paul (Rauscher) was huge in making sure we had everything we needed.”
Bani said he estimated around 75 to 100 officers responded to the incident.
He said Weber and Fink provided help throughout the day, with Fink staying after her normal work hours to assist him in talking to and comforting the victim of the domestic violence incident and helping him with notification of the victim’s boyfriend’s death.
Rauscher praised EMT International’s employees and law enforcement as being exceptional.
“I don’t think police ever get enough credit,” he said.
Fink said for EMT International employees, it was about how they could help.
“That was all it was,” she said. “It was something I think anybody would do… We saw a lot of bravery that day, and we saw a lot of sadness.”
Rauscher said EMT stood for Economy Machine and Tool,
Village President Rich Heidel said as of Dec. 15, EMT for him stands for Exceptionally Meritorious Tribute.
“It’s a tribute, not only by your organization to our law enforcement and public safety community, it’s also a tribute from the public safety personnel to its constituents and residents,” Heidel said. “This is the way it should work, police-community relations, and when we both work together like that, it’s what makes things successful.”