While writing Deadrise, I had the privilege of working with a fine crew of Emergency Medical Technicians who serve on the Montclair Ambulance Unit (www.MVAU.org). They stand watch at all hours, ready to aid the infirm, the troubled, and the broken patients who are likely experiencing the worst ten minutes of their entire lives. These stalwart heroes include Mavis Oklahoma Amoakohene, Matt Antolino, Colin Bloody Baker, Justin Banasz, Rescue Mary Berghoefer, Sgt. Tuna Berghoefer, Robert Bertoli, Kris The Beav Bevacqua, Benjamin J. Campos, Deputy Chief Frank Carlo, Michelle Carlo, Richard Chang and the Rescue Gang, Greelensky Charles, Sean Coffey Like the Drink But Spelled Differently, Michael Bigfoot Craig, Brett Davis, Chris DeAngelis, Vincent DeRosa, William Fitzpatrick, Deana Flynn, Elise Fournier, Lt. Aaron Avi Friedman, Ariana Goodman, Steve Goodman, Adam Gubar, Matt Guth, Sean Happy Meal Graham, Brack Healy, Brian Heff Heffernan, Deborah Herr, Sara Herr, Jim High, Jr., Jim High, Sr., Jonathan Doogie Hirsh, Rennie Jacob, Drew Johnson, Renee Karain, Anna Kasko, Corey Keepers, Dan Kosciuszko, Anastasia Lambert, Nick The Saint Lindstedt, Aaron Cheeks Lowe, Elisa MacLean, Sgt. Julie Fireball Martin, Tim Thanks for the Bagel McLoughlin, Alejandra Menendez, Paul Middlemiss, Michael Minnicozzi, Andy Montick, Tim T-Pain Peterson, Stacy Hayes Przybylinski, Ron Roberts, Mark Rossi, Lisa Schneider, Jeanne Scott, Joe Sente, Chief Jamie Simpson, Sue Simpson, Jim Skiba, Denise Smyth, Don Stapp, Sam Sutherlin, Jason Swayze, Justin Thompson, Kelley Tierney, Jeanine Troisi, and Erica Wolfe.
The steadfast men and women named here, many of whom served on the pile in New York City on September 11th, 2001, or who have served us bravely and with great sacrifice in the military, are supported by a dedicated board of directors, a crack team of Advanced Life Support medics, and our area emergency department doctors, nurses, and staff. Officers of the Montclair Police Department and firefighters of the Montclair Fire Department are always eager to lend a helping hand with our toughest cases. Together, they make the life-or-death difference on a 911 call in our town. I have witnessed miracles with them.