The last few weeks have been filled with tragedy, trauma and mourning as our community deals with the aftermath of the July 13 assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump at his campaign rally at the Butler Farm Show grounds.

The conversation has focused mostly on how Matthew Thomas Crooks, 20, was able to climb onto the roof of a building less than 200 yards from the rally and fire eight shots from an AR-15 rifle, killing one person, seriously wounding two others and grazing Trump’s right ear.

What’s emerged is a picture of a deeply dysfunctional security system — with poor communication between agencies and multiple missed opportunities to stop Crooks before he fired a single bullet. The investigation is far from over, but there is a bright spot: the work done by the emergency medical services teams at the rally.

On page one of today’s issue, we learn about what the rally was like for the EMTs and paramedics in attendance. Jesse Haas, director of operations at Butler Ambulance Service, said even before the shooting, the day had been difficult.

High temperatures meant the day had been a busy one, with as many as 250 people treated for heat-related issues. Then, after Crooks opened fire, they took care of shooting victims.

In addition to Butler Ambulance Service, Harmony Emergency Medical Services and the Squad 98 UPMC medic truck were at the rally, as were firefighters from Connoquenessing, Prospect, Saxonburg, Evans City, Herman, Zelienople and Chicora volunteer fire departments and a few members of the county HAZMAT team.

And, despite communication problems elsewhere, Haas was proud of how all the departments worked together.

“We had really good coordination between agencies that don’t normally do those things together,” Haas said. “Everyone pulled together and handled more than what their capacity would typically warrant.”

The dedication and professionalism shown by the emergency medical personnel helped keep people safe throughout the chaotic, dangerous incident. They deserve our thanks for that.

— JK