To The Daily: I had not seen a doctor or been to a hospital for 20 years until September, when a case of pneumonia led to a heart attack, requiring open-heart bypass surgery. Words cannot express the gratitude I have for the superior care I received from Parkway and Huntsville hospitals. The doctors, nurses and technicians, using numerous medications, and a host of fancy equipment, have me well on the way to a full recovery.

However, none of that subsequent care would have mattered if I had not arrived alive at the emergency room. I owe my life to the crew of the First Response Ambulance Service. They immediately realized I was in grave condition when they answered my 911 call. If they had not done what they did, in the way they did it, I would not be here today.

When I called First Response to thank them after I returned home, they simply said they were "just doing their jobs." That is the kind of reply I should have expected from dedicated, professional EMTs. The nurses at Huntsville Hospital agreed that the ambulance crews never receive the recognition they deserve for the job they do.

For those who think they are no more than a glorified taxi service, I hope that they are as blessed as I was in their hour of need. These unsung heroes saved my life, and I can assure everyone that I am very happy to be alive!

Scott Casey

Decatur