Mayor Suthers honors groups that assisted in Planned Parenthood shooting

Mayor John Suthers presented three Spirit of the Springs awards to American Medical Response, the Salvation Army and Mortgage Solutions.

The groups were honored for their help during the Nov. 27 Planned Parenthood shooting.

“Colorado Springs responded with great resilience and passion to the tragic events of Nov. 27th,” said Mayor John Suthers.

As the nation watched the tragedy unfold, the people working at the Salvation Army, American Medical Response and Mortgage Solutions took action.

“The scene was kinda surreal in a sense that all this was going on right here in our city. We were apart of it in a sense we were giving help to those trying to help others,” said Maj. Richard Larson, county coordinator for the Salvation Army.

The American Medical Response staff also assisted by staging a dozen ambulances and helped evacuate and treat victims.

“For us it was just another day at the office, but you know to have such a heightened event and be recognized and appreciated by the mayor for what we do is huge,” said Jon Webb, American Medical Response supervisor.

The Salvation Army provided relief to the dozens of officers working in frigid temperatures.

“I just remember the swat team coming into the canteen and warming themselves up by the oven, we had it blazing hot and just gave them that comfort and break they needed,” said Larson.

Mortgage Solutions provided a community crisis center for five days.

“This was a big effort by these organizations and so many people were involved. People wanted to do the right thing and make sure community response was what it should be,” said Suthers.

On Jan. 12, Mayor Suthers recognized six members of the community in a special ceremony and honored them with a Spirit of the Springs award. Colorado Attorney General Cynthia H. Coffman also honored Colorado Springs law enforcement and first responders.

For the first time since the shooting, Planned Parenthood will reopen its clinic Monday.