Saturday Spotlight: Chancely Coker

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EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is the ninth in a series of profiles that manninglive.com will be posting each Saturday to highlight our first responders and dispatchers who keep Clarendon County a safe place to live. After each Saturday posting, the piece will appear in the following Thursday’s Manning Times.

Chancely Coker graduated from East Clarendon High School in Turbeville in 2005, and received a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of South Carolina and an associate's degree in emergency medical technology from Horry Georgetown Technical College and an associate's in nursing from Hutchinson Community College. She joined McLeod Health Clarendon EMS in May 2011 and serves as a paramedic, firefighter and nurse for the service.

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BE A FIRST RESPONDER?

Initially, I chose to be a first responder because it looked exciting and it seemed to be a good outlet to help people. I remain a first responder because it truly is a way to make a different in people's lives, often at critical moments fr them. The other reason that is just as important to me is the co-workers and first responder community that becomes a family. It is a great community and family to be a part of.

WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING THING ABOUT BEING A FIRST RESPONDER?

The most challenging part of being a first responder is the amount of time we spend away from our families, including the holidays and special occasions that we frequently miss.

DESCRIBE A MEMORABLE MOMENT DURING YOUR SERVICE.

I've had many memorable moments here with my friends and work family serving our community. Most are not appropriate to discuss, but being a first responder never fails to offer many memorable moments.

PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY.

I grew up in Barrineau with my parents, Donna and Hoyt Coker. I have two younger sisters, Peyton and Kayla. I am also the proud parent of six rescue dogs.

PREVIOUS SATURDAY SPOTLIGHTS:

CCFD Capt. Glenn A. Costello

Inv. Susan Welch

Firefighter Joseph Stukes

EMS Asst. Supervisor Jeremy Evans

Sheriff's Office Victim's Advocate Kim Hill

Paramedic and Firefighter Crystal A. Miller

Firefighter Lawrence "Junior" Odom

Inv. Kenneth Clark