EMT Karen Todd

[Richard B the EMT]

http://www.newsday.com/long-island/obituar...at-64-1.1370987

Lindenhurst EMT Karen Todd dies of cancer at 64

August 15, 2009 By EDEN LAIKIN eden.laikin@newsday.com

Karen Todd dedicated the last 21 years of her life to saving the lives of others.

As an emergency medical technician with the Lindenhurst Fire Department since 1989, she continued learning new ways to help others - through fire and safety education and training - and then found ways to impart that knowledge to others.

On Monday, Todd lost a yearlong battle with breast cancer. She was 64.

At her funeral Thursday, a processional of fire trucks accompanied Todd's coffin through the streets of Lindenhurst, past hundreds of volunteer firefighters from as far away as Albany.

While Todd had two grown children of her own, she was a mother to everyone at the firehouse, members there said.

"The entire Lindenhurst Fire Department is grateful for the time Karen spent among its ranks," Lt. Ron Tappen said in a statement. "She can never be replaced. Karen will be missed by all and will never be forgotten."

Following in the footsteps of her father, a city firefighter, Todd joined Lindenhurst's Chemical and Rescue Company No. 1 in 1988 and became an EMT in 1989.

By 1996, Todd had taken courses in helicopter response, heavy rescue, leadership and management, and ice rescue and recovery. She became director of Rescue Company No. 1 in 1998 and captain in 2006.

Todd ran the department's blood drives with her "leadership by example" ethic, members said. She volunteered with so many department committees that members estimated they would need 12 volunteers to take her place.

KT, as she was known, exemplified a volunteer firefighter, members said, never turning down an assignment or request - even during her illness. Those who served with her remember Todd working shifts even after chemotherapy sessions. "She didn't let us take care of her until the end," said her son, Glenn Cachia, 38, of Lindenhurst. "That's the type of person she was."

Todd's daughter, Lisa Cachia, 44, of Sacramento, Calif., said her mother "had a drive that wouldn't be stopped. . . . She was a great role model."

Chief Michael McCloud recalled Todd calling the firehouse her church. "I'm doing God's work here," she would say.

Todd traveled many times to Washington, D.C., and Albany at her own expense to fight for funding and other necessities for Long Island's volunteers, said Chief of Department Steven Smaldon. She was particularly proud of meeting Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton on one trip. A photo of the two hangs in the Lindenhurst firehouse.

Besides her children, Todd is survived by two brothers, Glenn Todd of West Yarmouth, Mass., and Jeff Todd of Boston.

A service was held Wednesday at Lindenhurst Funeral Home. Todd was buried Thursday at Breslau Cemetery in Lindenhurst.

Edited August 16, 2009 by Richard B the EMT

[fireflymedic]

Such a tragedy - why does it seem like the good ones always leave us too early? Prayers for her family.