Lights, sirens, support: First responders host parades for frontline hospital workers

On Thursday afternoon, emergency sirens were a good sound to hear.

Law enforcement officers and first responders across King County hosted parades at local hospitals to show support and thank the frontline workers for their service during the ongoing COVID-19 global health crisis.

A motorcade of fire engines, police motorcycles, ambulances and first responder vehicles blared emergency sires and flash their lights as they circled the west entrance of St. Francis Hospital in Federal Way on April 16.

“This grand show of support from our South King Fire and Rescue, Federal Way Police Department, and local American Medical Responses teams for all of our St. Francis Hospital team members is a testament to the strength of our community,” said Dino Johnson, St. Francis Hospital chief operating officer.

“These are unprecedented times and we are tremendously appreciative for all the support we’ve received from our community.”

Nearly 100 St. Francis employees gathered to watch the parade. More than a dozen workers viewed the scene from the hospital’s skybridge, overlooking the parade of Federal Way police, South King Fire and Rescue, American Medical Response (AMR), Tri-Med Ambulance and King County Medic One vehicles.

“It’s just very heartwarming to see that the community is behind us,” said Susan Brunner, hospital supervisor and registered nurse at St. Francis. “It gives meaning to our job … it’s wonderful knowing that our job is being appreciated by all.”

Parades in Auburn, Covington, Kirkland

‘Thank You’ parades were held at 15 hospitals in various cities throughout King County, including Kent-based Puget Sound Fire celebrating workers at the MultiCare Covington Medical Center and Valley Regional Fire Authority honoring employees at the Multicare Auburn Medical Center. Other events were at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle and Evergreen Health Medical Center in Kirkland.