On a day of fond remembrance at Skokie Fire Station 18, Karla Cutting, was fighting back tears between smiles.
Her husband Andy Cutting had worked out of that Skokie station house in the 9000 block of Gross Point Road as a firefighter for many years, until he died in January 2023 after a brief battle with cancer.Karla Cutting arrived at the firehouse early Monday morning to help send off 13 cyclists taking part in the Midwest leg of the National EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Memorial Bike Ride, a 400-mile, five-day trek that will take them from Skokie to St. Paul, Minnesota.
“I think Andy would be humbled and say this isn’t just about me, it’s about every fallen firefighter, paramedic and EMS provider,” she said. “What I want to say to these riders today is thank you. This means so much for people to be remembered.”
The cyclists are carrying dog tags with the names of 83 honorees from across the country who become sick or injured while doing their job or died in the line of duty.
Cutting drove an engine ladder truck out of Station 18 and loved his job, said Skokie fire chief Jeffrey Hoeflich, adding that one of the cyclists is carrying Cutting’s dog tags.
“It’s really important to us,” Hoeflich said. “We’re still kind of healing from our loss. Andy was an incredible guy. He’s really truly missed.
“It’s good for all of us to reflect on that and it’s good they’re taking up Andy as an honoree,” he added. “Throughout the ride they’ll be sharing who Andy was at every place they stop. They’ll talk about Andy all along the route as well as the other honorees.”
The National EMS Memorial Bike Ride seeks to recognize the sacrifices of EMS personnel who are killed in the line of duty, who become sick or injured during EMS service, or who died of various causes but who left an impact on their local, or the greater EMS community, the organization’s website says.
Various riders take part in the five legs of the ride that include East Coast, Southern, Midwest (which started in Skokie) Colorado and West Coast. On July 19, the organization is planning a Weekend of Honor in Crystal City, Va.
Karla Cutting said, “Incidents of cancer among firefighters and paramedics are increasing. For one thing, there’s a lot of carcinogens because there’s a lot of synthetic material out there.”
“When they go into a fire, they are being exposed,” she added. “Their ‘turn out gear,’ the gear that is supposed to protect them…is riddled with PFOA (a class of chemicals) cancer-causing agents. I do believe that contributed to my husband’s passing.”
Retired EMT Dave Wheaton came from Florida to Skokie for the Midwest section of the ride after completing the seven-day, 470-mile East Coast ride a few weeks ago. He was carrying dog tags for two EMTs who died in Florida.
“What really motivates me is the camaraderie we have here,” Wheaton said. “It’s fun. It’s very demanding. We always say that the people we’re riding for, their families are going through the worst times in their entire lives. So for us to do something a little bit hard is ok.”
He also said if he gets tired on the bike he finds strength in something small.
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“There’s been times when it’s a tough day but I reach down and grab these dog tags and say I gotta do it,” he said. “It almost feels like someone’s pushing you.”