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We Need to Stop The "Hero" Crap.
I am tired of seeing the "self-anointed accolades". We are giving people joining the fire service a lofty target to hit.
We are giving people in our communities a reason to resent us when WE refer to the honorable and courageous things that we do. In other words, they don't like US patting ourselves on the back.
People joining want to rise to hero status; some faster than others.
I read the Sunday paper and it sickened me when I came across this AP story from the New York Daily News: http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Caleb+Lacey
Caleb Lacey, 19, a Long Island volunteer firefighter doused an apartment staircase with gasoline and set the building ablaze-killing four-in a "twisted attempt to become a hero", prosecutors charged Saturday.
This has given the term "hero" and "volunteer firefighter" connotations that any right thinking person would not want to be associated with.
Stop selling the idea that we are "heroes" and what we do is "heroic".
We do what we do to HELP others. Period.
Anyone who believes that they will make a heroic effort someday; GET OUT NOW.
There are other "Caleb Laceys" in our fire service just waiting for their chance.
You should know them. You voted them onto your fire departments.
And it has given the news media just another reason to splash FIREFIGHTER CHARGED WITH...as their headline and given the evening news their lead in for the top story of the day.
God; please make it stop.
TCSS.
Art
We are giving people in our communities a reason to resent us when WE refer to the honorable and courageous things that we do. In other words, they don't like US patting ourselves on the back.
People joining want to rise to hero status; some faster than others.
I read the Sunday paper and it sickened me when I came across this AP story from the New York Daily News: http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Caleb+Lacey
Caleb Lacey, 19, a Long Island volunteer firefighter doused an apartment staircase with gasoline and set the building ablaze-killing four-in a "twisted attempt to become a hero", prosecutors charged Saturday.
This has given the term "hero" and "volunteer firefighter" connotations that any right thinking person would not want to be associated with.
Stop selling the idea that we are "heroes" and what we do is "heroic".
We do what we do to HELP others. Period.
Anyone who believes that they will make a heroic effort someday; GET OUT NOW.
There are other "Caleb Laceys" in our fire service just waiting for their chance.
You should know them. You voted them onto your fire departments.
And it has given the news media just another reason to splash FIREFIGHTER CHARGED WITH...as their headline and given the evening news their lead in for the top story of the day.
God; please make it stop.
TCSS.
Art
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mick Mayers on
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Well, Art, it appears you hit a grand slam with this thread. I am curious though- I tried to find it the other day because I wanted to link to it on Firehouse Zen, but I couldn't find it. Did it get taken down or am I an idiot? (I'm aware that both of those are possibly the case, if not probably).
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Permalink Reply by Pete Turek on
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We do a job that most people wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole. If you signed on to be a hero you might as well just get out now while you're still alive. There are many recipients of the the bronze or silver star or medal of honor recipients that did there job for the military. They were not looking for recognition or a pat on the back they did what they had to do to help there comrades in arms when stuff hit the fan.
You can say that most firefighter are courageous when things get tough, they have the ability to overcome there fears and get a job done. I don't want heros , I want good and well trained firefighters that will be there when they are needed.
I've seen the hero type to many times in my career, as a volunteer and a paid man, strut there stuff but when the going got tough and no one was watching they cut and run. I don't want heros, just real people that will do a job that very few people can do and do it well. If there is a hero part to firefighting it's the part about missing holidays with your family, birthdays, wedding anniversaries, and just being with your own family. Pete
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Permalink Reply by Mike Adams on
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Blue ligths still to be used on POVs for EMS calls?
But yes, the limits are namely are you using it for a call or for personnel use.
Insurance and liability, its up to you the driver, not the service you work for?
Many people barely understand the lights the police and fire/ambulance normally use, let alone anything else.
Road crews included, and yes Blue Lights for EMS/responders.
Not seen a light on a snow machine, but I expect someone has done it. Grin.
Arctic Man is coming up this month, 15th April (?), two days/nights of snow machines and other fun.
Like Sturgis, SD but for snow machines.
Has it been a tragic year so far, or just the news reporting police and other responders and tragedy?
"We may not be heros, but when we save you, we hope you think its heroic". "Please return the favor".
"Don't be a sheep, stand up and do more than couch work".
"who else does things without a weapon, exposing themselves to hostile fire, to save someone else. MEDIC!"
Rule of the road in Alaska especially in winter, you come upon stalled car, you slow down, check it out, why? Cause even 40F can kill, let alone -70F".
Providence is when things go wrong, someone comes along to help!".
Mike
Alaska
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Permalink Reply by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on
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ZenMaster:
To my knowledge, the thread has always been here.
I can send you the link if that would help.
Don't underestimate yourself.
You make my world whole again.
TCSS.
Art
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Russell:
I am so sorry about your loss of a brother and fellow firefighter and at such a young age.
I realize and acknowledge that we have heroes among our ranks.
I have a fellow firefighter that I consider a hero, though he would disagree.
Read about him here: http://www.firefighternation.com/profiles/blogs/the-body-wont-do-wh...
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Permalink Reply by greg on
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The people whom call themselves emergency responders no matter the type of response they provide should do so with dignaty that will earn them respect ad not a "HERO" title. Hero's are for comic books and not for people whom , choose there profesion and choose to serve the public and do so of there own free will. G.K.
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Permalink Reply by Bulldog324 on
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i have to agree with this after serving twenty years on active duty and god bless your brothers for just doing their JOB'S
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samuel
i think you need to grow up and let the big boys take care of the job because i think with your attitude and Mentality you are going to get killed or get somebody else killed.
BULLDOG 324
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Permalink Reply by Kevin OBrien on
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CORRECT ! When someone calls themselves "cool" it means they are not!
Hero's....that a word that is reserved for few. In my 22 year career with the FDNY I have been wittness to many acts of heroism and none like that day on Sept. 11, 2001..........NONE!
How many men that day knew they would die in the buildings? Hard to answer but I'd bet most did!
I was in the rubble of the South Tower when the north fell around me....am I a Hero? NO I was lucky!
After that day the world labeled us all "hero's" That was kind of an insult to me and many members of the FDNY We were popular at the time and no more than "todays news" We as Firefighters know the truth, we know who made the push into a burning building to save someone. Its our job!
Lets stop the madness in the honor of those that did "make the push" When people call you a hero, remind them who our heros's are and include our military for that matter.
Kevin OBrien-retired Special Operations FDNY
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Permalink Reply by lhfd_firefighter on
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its pathetic how some people would do this.no one realizes the risk we take. and like you said Art we're doing this to help others.were not doing this to win a popularity contest.being a FF is dangerous and this isnt good having people pull stunts like this.if this keeps up innocent people could be killed because of people like Caleb Lacey.
-Robert Stubbs
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Cap:
I believe that I leave no doubt that: A) The use of the term "hero" is WAY over used to the point that we may have to find a different descriptor for extraordinary acts by extraordinary people and B) I strongly support and urge the younger generation to step into the roles as the future of the fire service. And I will help them in any way I can.
But, as with anyone in a teaching/learning environment, the mind isn't open if the mouth is open. When people come on here, young or old and want to blow off everyone who has earned respect during their careers because they disagree with a statement, then sorry; but I am not inclined to respect that.
If our "younger generation" wants to be treated like adults, then they need to act like it and that includes being courteous and especially when you don't know the people that you are dealing with.
Part of the learning process lends itself to growing up.
Youngsters like Samuel aren't interested in role models; they're too busy being a "hero". He could have stated his position more respectfully, but chose to insult someone that he doesn't know from Adam. He is entitled to his opinion; that's for sure. Unfortunately, he isn't entitled to disrespect people who disagree with him.
Just my perspective.
TCSS.
Art
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