For summer student Alex Gauthier, and some thankful community members, what started as a typical day at the Falher Farm & Ranch Supply store quickly took a turn. It was the first day of training on the till for Alex, when he noticed a customer in the store parking lot lose his balance and fall. While waiting for the Fire Chief to arrive to assess the customer, Alex put his First Aid training to use and checked for the “ABCs” of First Aid ~ airway, breathing, circulation ~ and performed a concussion test. Following the Fire Chief’s assessment for a concussion and clearance for the customer to go home, something still didn’t sit right with Alex.
“Call it a gut feeling, but we are such a tight-knit community that I know if something like this happened to my parents or grandparents that someone would go check on them.”
Alex got permission from his manager, Louis, to go check on the customer at his home. Following emergency protocols, not finding him at his apartment, he decided to check the customer’s vehicle and that’s where he found him. The elderly gentleman was in a lot of pain, very pale and couldn’t move. It was a hot, sunny day and he had been trapped in his vehicle with no way to get help. 911 was called immediately and Alex waited with him until he was transported to the hospital. It was later confirmed that the customer had broken his hip.
Luc and Lorraine Desaulniers, the gentleman’s family members, say that Alex is a true hero. “We are so grateful to Alex. He did the right thing and very few 18-year-olds would have given it a second thought,” says Lorraine. “If it hadn’t been for Alex’s compassion, who knows what would have happened.” The man was transported to Grande Prairie hospital and in less than 24 hours he had a hip replacement.
“There was no hesitation from Louis when I asked to borrow a company truck and check on this customer,” says Alex. “I can honestly say I am not sure if I would have felt comfortable enough to ask something like this at another place, but I felt confident and safe in asking permission here.”
The customer is recovering in hospital where Luc and Lorraine visit regularly. Luc said that even before the incident, he thought highly of Alex. “He was always so nice to customers and very joyful, it’s obvious that his parents did a great job raising a compassionate, young man.” In fact, Luc said that when he visited the store to say thank you and to let him know that his family member was okay, Alex gave him a big hug!
Alex is currently studying Business Finance at NAIT and Luc and Lorraine didn’t mince words when talking about where they hope he ends up. “We value good customer service and compassion and Alex displayed both in spades. We hope he comes back to UFA, if we can, we should hold onto him!” says Lorraine.
