RP: I feel uneasy. I used to feel pretty isolated from this sort of stuff, and once it happens, you have a degree of uneasiness with the world. It’s hard to describe, but you worry about your kids and your family. I honestly don’t know if it will ever go away. Time heals all wounds, so I suspect with time you’ll lower this level of alertness, and things will come back to at least a degree of normalcy. This tragedy has had a profound effect on the doctors and nurses here, and I hope at some point in time that a degree of security comes back to me as well as the community.

KK: Despite the fact that it was difficult and challenging, it would have been worse not being able to participate and help.

RP: I felt fortunate that I was here and was able to help out with all the docs.

KK: Did you have any personal interaction with the families?

RP: Unfortunately, two of the kids who were killed I personally know. Anspach is one of the guys who works on the fire department that I’m the director for; his son Treven Anspach was killed. My family friends were involved as well. I’m not best friends with these guys, but we were closely associated with two of the kids who were killed.

KK: So it became even more personal for you. Do you think from an interpersonal perspective you were able to provide some guidance and some support for them?

RP: Honestly, I don’t know if I did. I think I was overtaken by all of this. I know that my wife was able to go to some of the families and provide dinners, but personally, I was overwhelmed with the aftermath and didn’t have a lot of time to go and spend with the victims’ families unfortunately.

KK: I don’t blame you. You shouldn’t be expected to. I’m glad your wife was able to support those that you knew.

RP: The community really rose up in terms of that. They set up a number of donations and sponsorships. I think the one gentleman who combatted the shooter had $700,000 within a couple of days in an account that they had set up. The community has had an amazing response.

KK: Thank you, Ryan, for sharing your thoughts. I know it’s got to be a sensitive topic.