A service to celebrate the life of Bryan County EMS paramedic Mindi (Welch) Allen of Calera was Feb. 4 at the Bryan County EMS facility.
She died on Jan. 25 during an off-duty accident outside of her home when she fell. A procession that included numerous first-responder agencies led her to her final resting place at Kemp Cemetery and she rode in her ambulance rather than a hearse.
Bryan County EMS said in a statement they are heartbroken over the loss of their coworker and friend.
“Mindi had been with BCEMS since 2018, and during that time, she made an impact that went far beyond her role as a paramedic. She made a lasting impression on everyone around her.
“She was stubborn in the way that mattered. The kind of stubborn that meant she would not give up on a patient, would not back down from doing what she believed was right, and would not stop until the job was done. Her determination saved lives, and her patients felt it. They loved her, trusted her, and knew they were in good hands the moment she arrived.
Allen was also a devoted mother that EMS said showed in everything she did. The strength, protectiveness, and the care she showed her children were the same qualities she brought to her coworkers and patients every day.
“Even during the hardest shifts, her heart was always in the right place,” EMS said. “Working with Mindi reminded us that what matters most is not just the work we do, but how we show up for one another. She brought strength, grit, and heart into everything she did. She cared deeply, even when the work was hard, even when the hours were long. She leaves behind a legacy of compassion, resilience, and service. Mindi will be deeply missed by her coworkers, her patients, and especially by her children and family.”
Bryan County EMS Chief Brian Norton said that EMS really appreciates the community and other law enforcement, fire departments and EMS for supporting them.
“We had other counties come and run 911 calls for us while we attended the funeral,” Norton said. “We appreciate that and the fire departments escorted her and gave flag salutes. We really appreciated all of the support that we got from everyone, from the Bryan County community to all the public safety people.”
Norton said Allen’s passing really affected the Bryan County EMS family.
“What really made it tough on this, when they toned it out, every medic knew the address. It was kind of like, ‘Oh, no,’” Norton said.
