I had such an experience this morning when I was forwarded and email and in the email was the tag line after the signature that read.....you can't be a hero if you don't take risks, or something like that I might have paraphrased it slightly.
Yes that's right you can read it again if you want. I began to think about the statement and I reflected on how the fire service has changed. I also wanted desperately to know the origin of the quote because it really needs some background.
Here is my point. If that quote comes from a 30 year veteran metro firefighter, then I think it is right on point, I get the context whether or not I agree with it. If that quote is from a younger person then I am a little bit rattled. I have been in the fire service for 35 years and my thoughts and attitudes have changed dramatically. When I joined the fire service as a youngster I certainly was enamored by the adrenaline rush and at that time it was a few years after the book Report From Engine Co. 82 had been published, and the stories of the big city firefighters was a form of excitement, but never did I envision myself to be a hero, nor was that one of my goals. You see I am truly a bit old fashioned and a bit of a dinosaur when it comes to that. I just wanted to help people. I still desire just to help people. Even though I had the desire to help, it took many more years before I really got the concept of the word "service" ...you know as used in the term "fire service". It is about helping people, and about helping our brother and sister firefighters. There is no more, and no less.
Now after starting as a young volunteer, I went on and made a career in the service and I am certainly aware that we all have to be cognizant of our pay and benefits etc.. Sure we need to protect ourselves and our families, but that is where it being about us should stop. It is about helping others on the worst days of their lives.
I am not so sure I agree about the entire "customer service" aspect of the fire service, but I certainly agree that we should just simplify things a lot, by a couple of simple thoughts.
If you are here to take risks and become a hero, you might want to reconsider that thought. Think of your family and other members that might have to rescue you and disrupt fireground operations and maybe lose a civilian life, because of your risk. If you are more concerned about going out in a blaze of glory and a dramatic funeral, please rethink your position.
Lets all just put the service part back into the fire service. The taxpayers don't have to like you, the politicians don't have to like you, and really you may not like the persons you serve. But your job is to serve and that is what you signed up for. There is no mandatory draft service for the fire service. You selected it, fought for it, competitively tested for it, and now some of you are mad that you are here and nobody can do enough for YOU! Your fellow members, the citizens, the mayor and everybody cannot do enough. NEWSFLASH!!!!! IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU! It's about the team, the community, and helping others
This first part of December 2012, just stop, take a breath, and get that spark back that originally made you want to be a part of the greatest profession in the world.
Refocus today, what if the MAYAN calendar is right?
Stay Safe, help when you can, and make your engine or truck company, make your station, make your shift or group, or make your department the best that they can be.
Pete Lamb @ Copyright 2012
For information contact pete@petelamb.com
