Dennis Morgan shares two decades of experiences

For more than 20 years, Dennis Morgan of Glenboro has shown up on some of the most frightening days of people’s lives; as a paramedic and a rescue diver, he offers a steady presence in anxious and uncertain situations.

Long before Morgan ever wore a paramedic uniform or descended beneath dark water as a rescue diver, he was a teenager with an unusual after-school routine.

“I would drive the tow truck for my dad when he was called by the RCMP to retrieve vehicles from rivers,” Morgan recalled. Those early experiences laid the foundation for a lifetime spent responding in a myriad of emergency situations.

“Driving the tow truck sparked my interest in recovery, and that’s what led me to attaining my scuba and rescue certifications,” he explained, adding that the long list of emergency certifications snowballed from there.

Throughout the years, Morgan has assisted with ground and water search and rescue operations not only throughout the province, eastern Saskatchewan, and Ontario, but overseas as well, often in extreme weather conditions such as typhoons, hurricanes, and tornadoes.

Beyond the technical skills and certifications, Morgan says it is the camaraderie among team members that has left a lasting impression.

“To watch teams come together during a rescue, especially in extreme situations, is incredible,” he said. “Everyone knows their role, and it all comes together with such precision and organization. It’s something you never stop being amazed by.”

One example of that teamwork was a simulated five-day exercise in Calgary following 9/11.

“Each province had its own rescue team, and Manitoba’s team specialized in cold environments,” Morgan said. “What an experience it was to be part of that. I was in total awe of how well executed the entire simulation was.”

Mindful of confidentiality, Morgan was hesitant to share specific scenarios, but he did offer insight into one of his overseas experiences.

“I’ve been to the Philippines a few times helping with the aftermath of typhoons and mudslides, and I was actually recognized by someone I had helped previously,” he said, amazement still echoing in his voice. Seeing devastation firsthand, Morgan added, puts things into perspective.

“Yes, our winters can get cold and we can get tornadoes, but that’s pretty much it. On the whole, we are pretty blessed.”

Although he retired as a paramedic a couple of years ago, Morgan remains active with search and rescue and also teaches First Aid and CPR, Heart and Stroke, and First Aid courses to both individuals and groups.

His years as a paramedic have left many lasting memories, but some of the most cherished are the moments when he helped deliver babies.

“One call was for a pregnant woman who was full-term and in active labour. When we arrived, the baby was crowning, so my partner ran back to the unit for the imminent delivery kit. By the time she got back, the baby had already been delivered, dried off, and was breathing,” Morgan said.

Three months later, Morgan was called to the hospital reception, where he was greeted by the grateful mother holding her three-month-old baby. Along with the grandparents, she presented Morgan with a beautiful handmade sun-catcher.

“Words can’t describe how amazing it feels to be part of something so positive and precious in this tough world,” he said. “I still have the sun-catcher hanging in my room; it’s the first thing I see in the morning and the last thing I see at night.”

Making a positive difference in people’s lives, whether by offering moral support, saving a life, or helping bring a new one into the world, is what continues to energize Morgan. From icy rivers in Manitoba to typhoon-ravaged villages overseas, he has seen it all. And through it, he has learned a simple truth: sometimes, just showing up is the most powerful thing a person can do.

PHOTO CAPTION: Certified in underwater search and rescue, Dennis Morgan of Glenboro has worked in several places locally and around the world, including the Phillipines.