EMT was passionate about helping others
Father-of-two killed after crashing into semi
Mark Manns was so passionate about helping others, he made time beyond his work as an EMT to launch a first-aid training company to equip ordinary citizens with life-saving skills.
“He was interested in making sure people had the knowledge to help themselves. In that way, he was very kind and selfless,” said Peter Jacoby, a family friend. “He was a very standup guy and he’s going to be deeply missed.”
The 35-year-old Calgary man died Wednesday when his pickup truck lost control on the slippery roads north of Airdrie, and collided with a semi on his way to work in Coronation.
Manns lived in Calgary but worked several days a week out of town as an EMT with the East Central Ambulance Association, which covers Coronation, Castor and Consort, said Lorne Dewart, the association’s operations manager.
Dewart remembered Manns for his “amazing, bright personality.”
“He was an exceptional EMT,” Dewart said. “If you talked to any of his patients, they’ll tell you what a caring man he was. In their time of need, something as simple as holding a hand could make a big difference.”
Manns and his EMT partner, Jenica Rawnsley, started the firstaid training company Every Day Heroes about two years ago after responding to a devastating emergency call.
A woman was trying to perform CPR on her husband, who was unresponsive, but was doing it incorrectly. By the time emergency workers showed up, there was nothing they could do to save the man, Rawnsley said.
“She tried so hard to do the right thing but didn’t have the knowledge,” she said. “That’s where we thought we could really help people.”
Rawnsley said she and Manns, who met five years ago in EMT school and have been EMT partners for the past two years, shared a special bond. She was shattered when she learned of his death.
“Working together on the ambulance, we see people die all the time,” she said. “But you don’t expect it to happen to somebody like Mark.”
Jacoby said he got to know Manns and Manns’ wife, Stevie, over the years, living just a few houses apart, and even had them in his bridal party about a year ago. The two families liked to spend time barbecuing, planting vegetable gardens and camping, Jacoby said.
Above all, Manns doted on his wife and their sons, aged six and nine.
“His family was his No. 1 priority,” Jacoby said. “He was always teaching his boys a new game, in the backyard gardening with them, including them in his life. He was never afraid to talk about their emotions, help them grow.”
Jacoby is setting up a trust fund to help Manns’ family. Anyone who wants to make a contribution or find out how to help can send a message to marktrustfund@gmail.com.
Funeral arrangements are still being finalized.