Cain has been a firefighter for over 12 years. He recently started helping schools with Fire Prevention and working with the Special Olympics. He enjoys teaching children about fire safety because kids can help teach their family what they have learned. Cain was involved with Special Olympics in high school and was touched to see how much heart the kids have to overcome obstacles.
Now, Cain enjoys teaching and encouraging kids to pursue their dreams. Along with serving on the board of directors for the local fire department, working as an EMT, and going to college to pursue his paramedic degree, he spends his free time volunteering for the fire department, community, and spending time with his wife and son.
Glen’s true passion shows through with his students and co-workers. He teaches 12th grade Government and Economics, but the lessons go beyond the classroom.
Glen was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a blood cancer, a couple of years ago. Co-workers say he is an inspiration for them and for the students. Through his early treatments, he still came to work – always with an uplifting attitude. When he took the next semester off to continue treatment, his students and fellow teachers made a video for him. (see below).
His strong will and desire show he loves what he does, and that, for him, it’s not just a job.
Students raised over $10,000 in funds for Glen, funds that he chose to donate to a foundation that supports the deadly disease.
She doesn’t look like a hero – her uniform is nurse’s scrubs, there is no cape and she wears glasses, instead of a mask. But, RN Beth Miles won California Casualty’s “Nominate A Hero” contest, besting seven other nominees in a nationwide vote.
“Being named ‘America’s Hero’ is very exciting, but very humbling,” she said.
Miles, who works in the Ambulatory Surgery Unit of Passavant Hospital in Jacksonville, Illinois, was top vote getter in the “Nominate a Hero” contest. People from around the nation nominated their heroes each month in 2013. The monthly winners were determined by on-line voting, and the finalist won a $250 gift certificate. “Just winning the gift certificate was the thanks I was looking for,” Miles said.
But, Miles obviously touched many co-workers and patient’s lives. They turned out in force, giving her more than 15,000 votes, three times more than any of the other seven finalists. “It’s amazing what people say about you that you didn’t know they felt,” she said. “Everybody should enter because I am proof that anybody can win.” Miles says this makes her feel like she has been vindicated for all the times she was called to the director of nursing’s office, or to the CEO’s office, “For being myself – loud, loving; not the image of the perfect nurse in the white starched dress, white shoes and white hat. It shows nursing and hospitals have changed over the years since I first began almost 37 years ago.”
Miles had tough competition from the other seven “Nominate A Hero” finalists. She was up against a Dallas area deputy who noticed automobile lights in a lake as he was on patrol. He was able to swim out and rescue two young women who were trapped in the sinking vehicle.
Another was a volunteer firefighter/paramedic in Iowa, who saw a fire truck moving at a patient being loaded into an ambulance. The fire truck’s transmission failed and it was rolling down an incline at him and the victim. He was able to push her to safety, taking the brunt of the impact and was pinned between the fire truck and the ambulance, sustaining serious injuries.
Miles got letters of support from co-workers, past patients and even Andy Ezard, the mayor of her hometown of Jacksonville, wrote, “I have experienced firsthand… that she is an extremely caring and dedicated nurse always going above and beyond the call of duty in all aspects of her professions. Beth contributes significantly her knowledge and experience to nursing colleagues and other care givers and is well-respected by all members of the healthcare team. She is a great people person and shares laughter throughout the working day, all while maintaining a professional atmosphere and putting the patient first.”
Miles wins a vacation valued at $10,000. “I have always wanted to go to Hawaii, and my birthday is December, 7, the same as Pearl Harbor Day, so I think that is where my husband, Michael, and I are headed. Besides, this is our 35th wedding anniversary,” she said.
California Casualty will continue taking names for the “Nominate a Hero” program each month in 2014. The public is invited to show the world that “good men and women” still exist. Monthly winners receive a $250 gift card and qualify for the 2014, $10,000 grand prize. Anyone can make a nomination and get all the details at https://nominatemyhero.com.
California Casualty provides auto and home insurance to America’s heroes: law enforcement officers, firefighters, educators and nurses – professionals who don’t always get the thanks they deserve for the hard work they do improving our communities. In an era where Hollywood stars and sports icons are looked up to as heroes, California Casualty is honored to help identify and award everyday heroes who give so much, every day.
“We hear the stories about struggling teachers paying for resources out of their own pockets, exhausted nurses sacrificing to provide the best possible care, selfless firefighters risking everything to protect our lives and homes, and peace officers laying their lives on the line to protect total strangers,” says Scott Randolph, California Casualty’s Social Media Manager. “We felt compelled to pass these stories of heroism along and honor the men and women who do extraordinary things every day.”
Miles has four grown children, Lucas, 32; Sara, 31; Emily, 29 and Molly 25.
Stacey Collins is a nurse for a medical clinic in Indiana. In the winter of 2012, an elderly woman with her daughter and grandchildren had arrived at the clinic. While crossing the parking lot to enter, another vehicle did not see the woman and children passing by, resulting in the vehicle hitting the grandmother.
Stacey quickly ran down the stairs of the clinic, rushing to aid. After 911 had already been contacted, Stacey stayed with the daughter and her children coping and ready to help when need. Stacey and a c0-worker drove the daughter and children to the emergency room where the grandmother was being transported. A few weeks later, Stacey and staff received good news that the grandmother was ok. Friends say Stacey never hesitates to reach out to those in need, and always paying it forward. She always puts the best interest of her patients at heart.
Capt. John Boesman is a 21 year veteran with the Prince George County Police Department. On March 18, 2013, in the early afternoon Boesman came across a vehicle accident soon after it had occurred. Boesman observed that a mid size SUV was on it’s side. It’s driver trapped, but conscious and the rear of the SUV on fire. The accident reconstruction investigation revealed that SUV driver, the sole occupant had suffer a medical emergency. The driver lost control of the vehicle, striking a curb, which caused the SUV to flip onto its drivers side. The vehicle continued to slide approximately 25 yards down the roadway, damaging the fuel tank. Boesman using his issued service baton was able to break a small hole in the windshield. With the combination of baton strikes, kicking in the windshield and eventually tearing the hole in the windshield with bare hands and, assisted by a good samarian citizen, broke and tore a hole big enough in the front windshield to reach into the cab of the SUV.
While attempting to free the driver who was pinned in the driver’s seat, two back up officers assisted in the rescue attempt. After several minutes of struggling to free with a now unresponsive driver, excessive heat, the vehicle nearly completely engulfed in flames and smoke any further rescue attempt was futile. Boesman suffered second degree burns to his hands and the right side of his face and several lacerations to his hands. Boesman was transported to the hospital for his injuries, admitted and was released from the hospital the following afternoon. Boesman was unable to return to full duty for approximately 3 weeks. In January 2014 Lt. Boesman was promoted to Captain.
Congrats to our Hero of the Month, Traci Smith! Voting is now Closed! Thanks to all who shared and posted below. Be sure to stay tuned for our upcoming April Finalists.
Traci Smith is as critical care paramedic both at Grinnell Regional Medical Center and with East Poweshiek Ambulance Service where she is also the Director of Operations. Traci joined the ambulance service in 1997, and quickly went on to study to become an EMT, then to further become a paramedic. She teaches CPR classes for businesses and groups who need training and to those who want further mentoring in becoming an EMT like herself.
Friends say Traci is always ready to give a helping hand, whether medical, or someone in just need of a hug. It was mid-November when Traci met Tim and Barb for the first time. Tim collapsed at work and headed to the hospital. This was one of many trips. Tim met Traci, and stayed in communication with the family even after more trips especially through the holidays. Traci kept in contact with Barb throughout the whole experience. Collogues say Traci is one of those people that knows everyone and everyone knows her.
