The Social Network & Community JUST for Firefighters
Did You Make A Difference Today?
Or, what would you have changed yesterday, if you could go back and change it in retrospect?
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Engineco913 on
-
Instilling brotherhood in our younger generation of firefighters. Achieving goals through teamwork and remaining motivated. These are thing I try to do each time I'm at the firehouse.
-
Permalink Reply by Christopher J. Naum, SFPE on
-
The silence speaks volumes.....
-
Permalink Reply by turk182 on
-
The difference I am trying to make for my department is going to be an ongoing thing.
I am taking over as chief in my department starting the first on the year and I have been trying to train my personnel. I started two in house training classes a month and have set up two state certified class and am in the process of getting and essentials class followed be a structual burn class.
I feel the better I train my people they will work better and safer with each other so if I leave them with anything it will be safety and training.
-
Permalink Reply by FETC on
-
ONE THING?
0700 - Daily Apparatus Checks
0730 - Weekly SCBA Maintenance
0830 - Daily Shift Training - 30 Minutes Lightweight I-Beam Construction Fire Tests
0930 - Washed Quint
1045 - EMS Training - 20 minutes 12 Lead EKG Placement Review
1145 - Heart Healthy Lunch by Probie; (Grilled Cix Salad with Tuna and Light Dressing / Fruit
1330 - Shift Meeting with Code Enforcement Officer; Plans Review Bentley Commons; LW woodframe
elderly residential complex near completion.
1420 - Toured Jobsite (familiarization) of Bentley Commons
1500 - 3 O'Clock Coffee - Round Table Critique of Yesterdays MVC Minivan vs Tree Heavy Fire,
Suicide Attempt (sign of the ecomony) Made sure everyone was alright.
1630 - Non-mandatory Fitness Hour. 4 or the 10 exercised today.
1730 - Washed/Cleaned alls rigs that moved, prepare for shift change.
Oh I forgot, we handled 8 calls = 3 EMS, 5 Fire, nothing special. I also worked on two FF annual
reviews that are due in November. The Probie (New Kid) had to present his daily 5 minute drill.
He chose to deliver how to calibrate the MSA Orion CGI; this was delivered to the entire shift, gives the kid confidence that he can show his peers he has an understanding of something, and the shift gains confidence in the kid; as well as a quick refresher on whatever he chooses.
So what did you do today?
-
-
Chris,
What would I change if I could go back and change it in retrospect? I give the guys all a pay raise... YEAH! but I can't so I pay them with some constant praise...
I told them during the critique that, "They make me look good everyday"
FETC
-
Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on
-
Hey at least if you can't be part of the solution then don't be part of the problem......I try to get at least 1 thing done at the Firehouse each day....being a vollie unit there are many things that need to get done....BUT it always seems that "Someone else" is doing that.....and then it never gets done...so I took it on myself to start getting them done.....Paul
-
Permalink Reply by Butch McCurdy on
-
We did CPR on a newborn about 3 hours ago. We heard back from the hospital that the child it doing good.
-
-
It was a Blessing to be a part of it.
-
Permalink Reply by Crystal on
-
This 1st of all bring to mind an email that I recieved this morning....
I will attach below
TEENAGER'S VIEW OF HEAVEN
17-year-old Brian Moore had only a short time to write something for a class. The subject was what Heaven was like. "I wowed 'em," he later told his father, Bruce. "It's a killer. It's the bomb. It's the best thing I ever wrote.." It also was the last.
Brian Moore died May 27, 1997 , the day after Memorial Day. He was driving home from a friend's house when his car went off Bulen-Pierce Road in Pickaway County and struck a utility pole. He emerged from the wreck unharmed but stepped on a downed power line and was electrocuted.
The Mooreʼs framed a copy of Brian's essay and hung it among the family portraits in the living room. "I think God used him to make a point. I think we were meant to find it and make something out of it," Mrs. Moore said of the essay. She and her husband want to share their son's vision of life after death. "I'm happy for Brian. I know he's in heaven. I know I'll see him."
Brian's Essay: The Room...
In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room.. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "Girls I have liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was.
This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.
A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I have betrayed." The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird "Books I Have Read," "Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I have Given," "Jokes I Have Laughed at .." Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've yelled at my brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger", "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents.
Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to fill each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.
When I pulled out the file marked "TV Shows I have watched", I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of shows but more by the vast time I knew that file represented.
When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content.
I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.
Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh.
And then I saw it.. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With." The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.
And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him.
No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own.
He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again.. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.
Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. "No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side.
He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished." I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."-Phil. 4:13
If you feel the same way forward it on. It touched me, and I thought it might touch you too. My "People I shared the gospel with" file just got a little bigger, how about yours?
MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL!
-
-
Our rural Ohio County has suffered a great loss this weekend,
Ansonia Ohio Police Chief Larry Hoffman age 56
New Madison Ohio FD /Tri-Village Rescue Shane Waters age 33
I think this has opened up our eyes to see that no one was put on this earth with a 75 year guarantee.
It does not matter who you are or who you have helped, when it is your time to go there is no stopping it.
God Bless
-
Permalink Reply by Spanner 122 on
-
I think we make a difference every day, even those who dont think they do, or don't care to do so. The big things are expected of us, the station work the calls, the training; it's the little things that are perhaps more surprising and offer more comfort. little things like hugging a child who comes to visit, attending fundraisers for autism, kidney disease, cancer centre, heart and stroke foundation, collecting toys for kids, etc, etc... oh calls, talking to that patient on the backboard, explaining what it's going to feel like to be basically tied down to the board, assuring a scared mvc patient who is being extricated, touching the home owner on the shoulder and simply nodding when they say "thanks" even though they have just lost their home.
Perhaps, it's also how we treat each other in the stations. Helping a brother/sister on moving day, listening when they are having a hard time at home, enjoying each others successes and accomplishments, and comforting each other in tougher times, coming together after a tough call, preparing meals, laughing, joking and training together.
There are so many ways we make a difference. Yesterday, our 24 hour Sunday, just returning from a call and there are 10 kids and 6 adults waiting for a tour. We took the time, showed them the truck, took pictures, talked to them about fire safety, 911, etc... it made their day, the parents were happy and one very shy little girl gave me a hug and grinned before leaving... so not only do we make a difference in others lives, they make a difference in ours.
-
Permalink Reply by Rob Odenwald on
-
I welcomed back one our FF's who was out for 8 months fighting cancer. Let him know we are glad to see him back and needed his experience.
© 2024 Created by Firefighter Nation WebChief.
Powered by
