We are excited to announce the 2020 Business/Industry of the Year honorees are our local Front Line Workers.  2020 was an unprecedented year that tested the business community in ways not imagined 1, 2 or even 10 years ago.  To keep our community moving forward, it has needed a partnership between its citizens and protective systems.  “Whether they are surgeons, nurses, or the all-too-often underappreciated housekeeper, front-line healthcare workers answer the call to serve 24/7 and are the foundation upon which our region’s health and well-being rests.” Said Ed Cunningham, CEO of Heartland Regional Medical Center, “They put caring for the patient first, though they are at great risk to themselves and their families.” 

Our families and communities are still the focus of our fire and police services, where interacting with the public is second nature to these first responders.  With a focus on protection, responders have had to add more protections and limit contacts with community members.  Police Chief David Fitts describes new policies. “No matter how hard you try; you can’t avoid all bad situations. We must use more caution which causes us to perform our duties in more uncomfortable situations.”  Staffing adjustments have changed arrest protocols and interactions with the public.   

The Fire Department has experienced similar limitations.  Fire Chief Tim Barnett explains, “While our response to emergency calls have not changed, our tactics have. We train daily on safety measures and use protective gear when the situation dictates, not only for our firefighters but our community members as well.” Sometimes this limits their ability to comfort citizens, especially children, with physical contact or support. 

Support is part of the mission of another partner organization, Centerstone. Their CEO John Markley praised his staffers, “Without Centerstone’s frontline employees—those serving our clients in face-to-face settings, this year’s success wouldn’t be possible. They have proven their steadfastness, going to great lengths to ensure the safety of the communities they serve. I am constantly thankful for their dedication to delivering life-changing care despite the challenges of COVID-19. 

With COVID hitting close to home, the idea of the front-line Worker has expanded beyond our local first responders to those supplying essential services in non- healthcare fields.  Evan Manzo, manager of the Marion Wal-Mart, described the challenges his associates have faced. “Our associates have had to learn and come up with solutions on how to work as teams while also keeping their space from each other. This has been a challenge at times. Whether it be unloading trucks, stocking freight, or shopping for other customers. They have come up with creative ways to do all this and still be successful.” 

With the vaccine and mitigations in effect, the next chapter for front line workers is protecting our reopening economy. SIH President and CEO Rex Budde explains. “That steadfast commitment extends to business and industry. Today, SIH continues to provide weekly updates to more than 2,000 civic and community leaders and resource materials for safe re-opening as part of our ongoing response.” This also encourages citizens to refocus on their health and not ignore essential health care needs. 

Community leaders were unanimous in how to thank our Front-Line Workers – all those who had to perform essential work to keep our economy going.  It was summarized by Marion’s Mayor Michael Absher.  “Take a moment’s pause and think about who our heroes are. What impact they had on this really rough time. How they kept things going and what the true meaning of all that is – and what the value of that is to you. And moreover, take time to thank somebody for the job they have done. The passion for which they have done it, and the sustenance in which they have offered to our lives and our economy during this rough time. So, thank you, whether you are a front-line worker in a hospital, or in an ambulance, police car, fire truck or manning a cash register. Thank you for all you have done to sustain our way of life.”

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