It takes a special kind of person to risk their own life to save another, especially that of a stranger, but that is exactly what dedicated rescue workers all across B.C. do every day. They wake up in the middle of the night to calls about fires, accidents, people missing and other life threatening dangers. Calls are received with urgency . Within moments, rescue workers drop everything they are doing to rush out the door to give their all for someone they don't even know.
Frank Currier works as a driller at Copper Mountain Mine during the day. He is what some refer to as a true blood and he is also a poet. Those who know Currier best have given him the nickname "Farmer." Currier came to Princeton at the request of friend, fellow true blood, mine worker Jeff Scott to teach a mine rescue certification course. Currier was living in Chetwynd at the time.
After doing the course, Scott encouraged Currier to join the Copper Mountain mining team and soon his bags were packed and Currier was headed South. Currier was only in Princeton for two weeks before he joined the local volunteer operated fire department. Then, a month later he joined the Highway Search and Rescue team. He is presently a Shift Captain for Highway Rescue and a mine rescue captain for his shift on site at Copper Mountain.
Being on a rescue team is in Currier's blood, but so is his writing and his need to help others. Currier wrote a poem called "True Bloods" in 2008 based on three different experiences he had gone through on rescue calls. "It was written as a thank-you to my rescue coaches," said Currier. "I wrote it and gave them signed framed copies."
The poem is touching and it has even drawn interest from the B.C. government who are considering publishing it in the mine rescue manual. "It affects different people different ways," said Currier. "Some people tear up and some laugh." It was written for all the people that dedicate their own time, gas and expense for a good cause."
Currier was asked to read the poem out loud at a Mine Rescue Competition in front of 700 people. The next day he had over 300 requests for a copy of it. "The mine rescue competitions have teams from mine all over who come together to compete and see whose the best," Cuurier stated. "I am a shy guy and wasn't too sure I wanted to read the poem out loud in front of all those people, but the response was really overwhelming. I guess it really strikes a cord with the people out there doing these rescues."
After arriving in Princeton and joining the Highway Rescue team, Currier soon discovered that the rescue unit needs a new truck. "They have some money in the bank for that," said Currier, "but not enough." Currier had gone to see Ed Muckle at the Image Emporium to print up some copies of True Bloods to fill some poem requests and one thing led to another.
"Frank brought in this frame design," said Muckle "and we spoke with some locals and the response was just excellent." Princeton Glass, Wood Smart Design and Country Crafts all donated at cost materials for 100 frames.
"Ed has been a godsend," stated Currier. "He is donating all the printing for the poem and hooked me up with the right people. I have been so impressed with the community. I'm new here are have been impressed with all the support. I'm really appreciative of how the community has all jumped in to help - that's the real kicker."
All proceeds from the poem are going towards the truck fund for highway rescue and the poem fundraiser is fully endorsed by the rescue squad. The framed signed poem can be purchased through the Image Emporium or from Frank directly by calling him at 250-295-0501. The cost is $75.
The poem is worth the read and for the Highway Search and Rescue squad it is a life line to better service. "There is nothing else like making a rescue," Currier said. "My biggest fear and that of all rescue workers is that the rescue victim will die and sometimes they do. We all want to save lives and it is an awful feeling when we can't."