The Social Network & Community JUST for Firefighters
Line Of Duty Deaths. Canadian Editorial Asks Why All The Fuss?
Editorial asks if we use LODDs to hype our profession and image.
An editorial in the Brantford Expositor by Christopher Brennan (no, not that Chris Brennan) takes up an issue with why aren't the deaths of people if other dangerous (or more dangerous) professions given the same heraldry as those of firefighter and police officer line of duty deaths.
"Killed in the line of duty"
Chris Brennan
"So why is it when a logger or miner or fisher or farmer dies it rarely makes the news, but there's a big hullabaloo when it's a cop or firefighter?"
"I'll venture to guess that popular culture has something to do with it. Cops carry guns and deal with criminals. Crime is a staple of books and movies and TV shows. You don't see a lot of movies about fishers hauling in their catch or loggers cutting trees down. It's mundane. Dangerous, but not thrilling. Perhaps if they shot fish with a hand gun or felled trees with a bazooka there would be more movies about them."
A fair question for someone with a legitimate question who is looking into statistical research, but still a stretch in the comparison. It gets better,
"Maybe it's got something to do with the idea of "heroism." Chasing down a gun-toting criminal seems "heroic." Rushing into a burning building and emerging with a child seems "heroic.""
"Plowing a field doesn't conjure images of heroism. Neither does cutting down a tree. Or hauling in a net full of fish."
"Nevertheless, the fact of the matter is these endeavors, while not exactly "heroic" or daring, are far more dangerous and potentially lethal than fighting crime or fires."
"Cops and firefighters are happy to propagate the myth, especially at contract time, that their jobs are exceedingly dangerous. It's self-serving but disingenuous."
"Ah, but they selflessly sacrifice themselves for the "public good." Ditch the martyr complex. Growing broccoli or roofing a house is just as socially beneficial as apprehending a shoplifter.""
I'll admit that I personally see a discrepancy when we define our own (U.S.) line of duty deaths, in the traditional and non-traditional sense (s. Fire Service "Sabremetrics"). Likewise some of you that I have had the pleasure of discussing this with share a similar view. However I haven't taken a cheap shot at the dead and their survivors by comparing their service to that of a farmer or a contractor. I have however questioned the process we use and others' interpretation of the numbers. Brennan goes further in his editorial insulting line of duty death funerals as well,
"Another thing: The massive funeral processions for fallen comrades is getting a little stale and self-indulgent."
"Enough, already. If every profession or occupation marked the death of one of its members the way cops and firefighters do the streets would be jammed with marching mourners 24 hours a day and the economy would grind to a halt."
"Furthermore, an unintended consequence of the big funeral as public spectacle is that it serves to highlight how relatively rare it is when one of them to dies doing their job."
"A particular uniform or occupation doesn't entitle one to de facto hero status. All sorts of people in all sorts of jobs do courageous things everyday. So the next time a cop or firefighter dies and it's all over the news take a moment to remember all the other people killed 'in the line of duty' doing jobs that are far more dangerous, but less glamorous. The only difference is you probably didn't read or hear about them.""
Questioning line of duty deaths and all related processes is one thing, so long as it is done in a respectable manner. Simply insulting them because the "International Sprout Growers Association" doesn't have one is childish.
I imagine some of you would like to share your opinion with Chris Brennan. He can be reached at chrisjbrennan@bell.net. A few things first though:
His views are on Canadian fire service LODDs.
You represent us all if you respond. Take the high road; be factual and professional. Don't say that you hope his home were to catch on fire and he ended up needing firefighters. Doing that makes you lower than him.
We encourage and support constructive dialogue and debate. View our...
Bill Carey is the Online News/Blog Manager for Elsevier Public Safety and a former Prince George's County (MD) volunteer fire officer.
Read more of Backstep Firefighter and others at FireEMSBlogs.com.
An editorial in the Brantford Expositor by Christopher Brennan (no, not that Chris Brennan) takes up an issue with why aren't the deaths of people if other dangerous (or more dangerous) professions given the same heraldry as those of firefighter and police officer line of duty deaths.
"Killed in the line of duty"
Chris Brennan
"So why is it when a logger or miner or fisher or farmer dies it rarely makes the news, but there's a big hullabaloo when it's a cop or firefighter?"
"I'll venture to guess that popular culture has something to do with it. Cops carry guns and deal with criminals. Crime is a staple of books and movies and TV shows. You don't see a lot of movies about fishers hauling in their catch or loggers cutting trees down. It's mundane. Dangerous, but not thrilling. Perhaps if they shot fish with a hand gun or felled trees with a bazooka there would be more movies about them."
A fair question for someone with a legitimate question who is looking into statistical research, but still a stretch in the comparison. It gets better,
"Maybe it's got something to do with the idea of "heroism." Chasing down a gun-toting criminal seems "heroic." Rushing into a burning building and emerging with a child seems "heroic.""
"Plowing a field doesn't conjure images of heroism. Neither does cutting down a tree. Or hauling in a net full of fish."
"Nevertheless, the fact of the matter is these endeavors, while not exactly "heroic" or daring, are far more dangerous and potentially lethal than fighting crime or fires."
"Cops and firefighters are happy to propagate the myth, especially at contract time, that their jobs are exceedingly dangerous. It's self-serving but disingenuous."
"Ah, but they selflessly sacrifice themselves for the "public good." Ditch the martyr complex. Growing broccoli or roofing a house is just as socially beneficial as apprehending a shoplifter.""
I'll admit that I personally see a discrepancy when we define our own (U.S.) line of duty deaths, in the traditional and non-traditional sense (s. Fire Service "Sabremetrics"). Likewise some of you that I have had the pleasure of discussing this with share a similar view. However I haven't taken a cheap shot at the dead and their survivors by comparing their service to that of a farmer or a contractor. I have however questioned the process we use and others' interpretation of the numbers. Brennan goes further in his editorial insulting line of duty death funerals as well,
"Another thing: The massive funeral processions for fallen comrades is getting a little stale and self-indulgent."
"Enough, already. If every profession or occupation marked the death of one of its members the way cops and firefighters do the streets would be jammed with marching mourners 24 hours a day and the economy would grind to a halt."
"Furthermore, an unintended consequence of the big funeral as public spectacle is that it serves to highlight how relatively rare it is when one of them to dies doing their job."
"A particular uniform or occupation doesn't entitle one to de facto hero status. All sorts of people in all sorts of jobs do courageous things everyday. So the next time a cop or firefighter dies and it's all over the news take a moment to remember all the other people killed 'in the line of duty' doing jobs that are far more dangerous, but less glamorous. The only difference is you probably didn't read or hear about them.""
Questioning line of duty deaths and all related processes is one thing, so long as it is done in a respectable manner. Simply insulting them because the "International Sprout Growers Association" doesn't have one is childish.
I imagine some of you would like to share your opinion with Chris Brennan. He can be reached at chrisjbrennan@bell.net. A few things first though:
His views are on Canadian fire service LODDs.
You represent us all if you respond. Take the high road; be factual and professional. Don't say that you hope his home were to catch on fire and he ended up needing firefighters. Doing that makes you lower than him.
We encourage and support constructive dialogue and debate. View our...
Bill Carey is the Online News/Blog Manager for Elsevier Public Safety and a former Prince George's County (MD) volunteer fire officer.
Read more of Backstep Firefighter and others at FireEMSBlogs.com.
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Moose on
-
Wow...I dont realy know what to say to this man. Do lumberjacks save lives? Do farmers place themselves in the line of fire to save a hostage's life? Do fishermen run into burning buildings to try and find a lost child or person in only a few minutes time? Do any of these professions get up at all hours of the day or night to respond t a persons call for help not knowing who this person is or expecting anything in return?
But hey, I guess it was only a matter of time given what this world has come to, a bunch of winers and complainers that have negative things to say about everything and everybody just to get headlines in a paper or blog.
-
Permalink Reply by FETC on
-
The author of said article, from the Brantford Expositor by Christopher Brennan, is clearly unfamiliar with the classification of what a civil servant is. If he would have looked up the term on wiki, he would realize that when a servant of the people die, in the line of duty, it is a death for which the individual was serving his or her people. I suspect when a person dies in the line of their chosen private (for profit) profession, there is probably people who mourn from that discipline, but in reality, the individual is not working for the people. Hence no large processions to celebrate the life and loss there of while serving the people.
"Maybe it's got something to do with the idea of "heroism." Chasing down a gun-toting criminal seems "heroic." Rushing into a burning building and emerging with a child seems "heroic.""
I am speechless that this individual was able to pass his bias jealousy upon the readers of this rag... Is someone upset they didn't score higher on the civil service exam?
Wiki: The term civil service has two distinct meanings:
A branch of governmental service in which individuals are employed on the basis of professional merit as proven by competitive examinations.
The body of employees in any government agency other than the military.
A civil servant or public servant is a person in the public sector employed for a government department or agency. The term explicitly excludes the armed services, although civilian officials will work at "Defence Ministry" headquarters. The term always includes the (sovereign) state's employees; whether regional, or sub-state, or even municipal employees are called "civil servants" varies from country to country. In the United Kingdom, for instance, only Crown employees are referred to as civil servants, county or city employees are not.
-
Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on
-
In a way, I do agree with some of the sentiment. Yes, there are other noble professions that do provide services for which we can all enjoy our lives today. Yes, there are other dangerous jobs out there and many that can be construed as more dangerous than police or fire.
However, what makes this profession and that of police stand out are the "unknown" factors. The jobs in themselves are surrounded by unknowns and the opportunity, ability, and responsibility to mitigate those unknowns. While the lumberjack may know they are in a dangerous position, they can also step back a bit for an adequate size up. It isn't the same when you have report of victims in a fire, or shots fired. A fisherman knows the storm is approaching and doesn't have to go out, or can seek safe harbor. When the public is screaming for their lives it is the job to respond.
What sets this profession, police, and military apart from other dangerous occupations is the service in which is provided, to the lives, safety, and freedoms of the public, not the almighty dollar. Yes, while many other jobs out there and noble and do make other people's lives easier, be it mining coal, farming produce, or cutting lumber for buildings, none really call for the interaction, interjection, and response by those in a uniform. Facing dangers is a part of these jobs, risking life is a part of the job, scenarios involve conditions that can not always be anticipated and at times risks need to be taken to save lives. Whereas many of the dangers faced in other occupations can be prevented and many times accidents and deaths are because safety mistakes were made.
-
Permalink Reply by Jack/dt on
-
I've only been able to find links to two articles written by Chris Brennan, here and here. Scarcity of his work suggests a "budding" career (change)?
I wouldn't take too seriously Mr. Brennan's "writing", whether an axe to grind or just looking to get noticed he appears to just be one of those people who relishes attention and thinks he is one of the few to see clearly enough to write about all that's wrong in his world. I mean, how seriously can you take someone whose byline is explained in the following: "Chris Brennan is a local, sometime satirical columnist. His column appears every other Friday."
He may in fact be highly effective doing in depth reporting on how certain of his neighbors don't bother to separate their recyclables from their trash. Perhaps even an investigation into the efficacy of having to license dogs. I suspect his 'services' both meet his own abilities and as well as that of the need of the public good to which he aspires. Good on him.
For a "local, sometimes satirical" every-other-Friday columnist I'm sure his overarching concern is getting a better, full-time gig. What better way to achieve that than by writing over-the-top 'columns' that are sure to enrage. Especially ones that go "international" (after all, he IS canadian and here we are discussing it here in the states. OMG, he's internationally known!)
So whether Mr. Brennan, a "local, sometimes satirical," every-other-Friday 'columnist' is being satirical or he really is amount his elevated depigmentated phenotype equine, one has to consider the source (canadian) and motivation (a full-time writing gig). Really, how seriously can he be taken, when we ALL know that there are more important things to be discussed, such as; what color lights on your POV, what color is your fire engine, what do you carry on your helmet, what's a good choice for a tattoo and (my favorite necropost) what do you think of women in the fire service? Hell, if WE don't take ourselves seriously, why should a canadian? (NO disrespect towards our fellow (non-gender-specific) Canadian firefighters. Hells, I'm just being satirical.)
-
Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on
-
It's simple. There are two key differences. Those other professions, while dangerous, are not based upon putting your body between another person and a life-threatening danger like a fire or an armed criminal.
Firefighters and LEOs put their bodies between a source of harm and an innocent stranger on a daily basis.
The second factor is the brotherhood factor. When a firefighter dies, it feels as if we've lost a family member, even if we didn't know the LODD.
The bottom line is that the risk in other professions are taken primarily for oneself, while the risks in firefighting and law enforcement are primarily for others.
-
Permalink Reply by Ryan James Johnsrud on
-
Personally, I have been an oilfield roughneck, and I have run heavy equipment for road construction, both relatively dangerous jogs, and in the oil patch people die. During my time working these jobs, I sought to continue a history of community service by becoming a volunteer firefighter and then and EMT. I was lacking that feeling of fulfillment from giving of myself in order to serve the greater "good".
After spending four years as a volunteer Firefighter/EMT. I began to pursue a career position as a Firefighter, I found the more responsibility I took on the more I loved the job. After going through the Physcial Agility testing, the leadership testing, the workforce simulations, and panel interviews I can honestly say that this is the only job (beyond a check for felonies) I have had that take morality, integrity, and service to the community into any kind of consideration.
Is roughnecking and construction physically demanding work that test the "salt" of the men working, yes, but we beat ourselves up for what? In the oilfield it's money. In the fire service it's our community. Personally, I took a $25,000 pay cut to go from the oilfield back to running heavy equipment (to have more time on the volunteer fire dept and ambulance and at home), then when I was hired on as a career firefighter I moved and took another $8,000 pay cut. Yeah, the budget is tight (way tighter than my oilfield days) would I go back? Not on your life, that's the difference, when you hold up a fist full of cash versus serving the community, guess which one firefighters choose?
Does that mean we have no right to fight for a better life for our families? Does that mean that our efforts working out, training, and responding to calls at all hours deserve no compensation? Does that mean we are powerless when it comes to our wages? I am going to fight just as hard for the well-being of my family as I am for the health and safety of my community, (and sweetheart, I hope you know that's pretty damn hard.)
Perhaps, this guy should ask why public servants have to fight for a decent wage and decent benefits, why there livelihoods are the first on the chopping block. Maybe, there is something wrong with a society that wants to strip its most invested and committed citizens rather than reward them. Maybe this guy should look hard at his own values.
-
-
It is noteworthy that all my oilfield and construction employers treated me very fairly and if I wasn't personally driven to the fire service and it's core values I would have been proud and lucky to build fulfilling careers in their fields. But there is a difference
-
Permalink Reply by andrew shapiro on
-
Not sure how it works in Canada but most firefighters in the U.S. are VOLUNTEERS!!!
Many paid firefighters in the U.S. are also volunteer firefighters in their spare time.
Hypothetically speaking, I would also bet that most of the paid firefightrs in the U.S. would be volunteer firefighters if there were no paid service in existance.
This summarizes just some, but not all, of the great distinctions between the fire service and other risky professions Brennan mentions.
I'm not sure what job(s) Brennan considers to be more dangerous than speeding to an incident and tackling a structural or wildland fire. Statistics in this regards are almost certainly misleading. The fire service, being not for profit, spends large proportions of it's budgets for gear, equipment, training etc in the name of personal protection and safety. For profit businesses seek the highest bottom line and therefore will never replicate this kind of committment (ie. proportionally spending the money) to personal protection and safety.
Unbdoubtedley this divergence will skew any "statistics" that are used to compare the inherent risks in various professions.
No one is stopping other professions from honoring their dead or injured in the manner they see fit. To denigrate the fire or police service for honoring theirs in their own way is quite frankly, disgusting!
-
Permalink Reply by Ken Lees on
-
This editorial is totally disrespectful to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in trying to make this country a much safer place to live in.
It is much the same here in Canada Andrew. Many departments are strictly volunteer, and some cities are fortunate enough to have the resources to pay for full time firefighters. Many volunteer departments struggle to maintain enough firefighters to do this job safely. Some are lucky to be able to get more than 5 or 6. Much of this due to lack of community support and articles like this.
I do respect that other occupations face safety challenges and also have their fatalities, however that is no excuse to attack the firefighters or the police.
Instead of attacking firefighters and trying to take away our honour and our dignity, a better approach might have been to write an editorial on how big companies in this country fail to respect those employees who have died in their workplaces.
-
Permalink Reply by Richard Armstrong on
-
Mr.Brennan clearly is using negative publicity to further his career.That is the problem with society is that they remember those who cause turmoil.While postitive publicity lasts a day or two and forgotten.I would hope that anybody who read or reads this will pay no attention to it but there will still be those few that will.We all know them and have had run-ins with them in the service that think we are on a high horse and just look for an excuse to cause havic towards the profession.
I agreee with Ken when he says corpoarations don't get flack for not remembering the fallen they just worry about the dollar figure and bottom line and hope everyone forgets about it.Not the fire service that tells them not to put up memorials not the police service that tells them not to have a day of mourning to remember their co-worker.But this clown tells people that we are trying to put ourselves up on a pedistal by remembering our fallen.Well I hope people see through his career-bettering publicity stunt and ignore it.
I'm not going to say that alot of other professions aren't dangerous because every job has it's own set of safety hazzards but there aren't many that go and put themselves in a deadly situation everyday on purpose for someone that is a total stranger.And that Mr. Brennan is why we brothers and sisters in both the police and fire service like to remember our fallen,because we care about them and their families and even if the brother or sister is a million miles away from our homes we still feel the pain of losing one.
Maybe this clown should write an article and ask all the other professions out there why they can't take the time to make their own memorials for farmer Joe who got his loose clothing caught in the auger while harvesting the beans or paul bunion was killed because his co-worker topped a tree and didn't say timber and it fell on him.I can't answer the question for them or Mr. Brennan but it sure the hell isn't us telling them not to!!!
-
Permalink Reply by Jeff Cole on
-
This is far from the first time I have heard this sentiment expressed, and not the first time it has been the topic of an editorial. There is a degree of self-serving, over-indulgenece in ceremony at times. I have the utmost respect for this occupation and all of those who have been a part of it. It has been in all aspects of my life for over 50 years.
In MY opinion, the public doesn't want or need to hear constant reminders about our
braveness" or so-called heroics. At times it is very self-serving. Along with the mentality behind the "I fight what you fear most" embarassing slogan tee-shirts. Depending upon what statistics you listen to, everything from the fishing industry to an airline pilot takes more risks and has more stress than fire service professionals. I will be the first to admit you would NOT find me on the Wizard fishing for crab whatever the conditions. No way. Yes they got guts, and it's dangerous as all hell.
However so is combat, or patrol in the middle east.That would scare the heck out of me as well. Total respect to all of them. And to Captain Sig also.
Firefighting is a service. It's for protection. It has it's a appeal. There is a difference though. You sign on a boat for crab season, you either make it or you don't. That simple. One time only. No room no place for anyone who will give 50% or who won't do their job totaly. The fire service is NOT like that, which is why there are no national standards. Depending upon where you do this work, you may not have to climb a ladder, or wear SCBA or any other of the required duties. If you can drive the tanker, and nothing else, your a firefighter. You can hide for 20 years and still wear the costume. But hey there is room for eveyone!
NO DISRESPECT INTENDED but the most overwhelming popular tattoo, decal, sticker, slogan and/or message found on vehicles is now 'Never Forget" or "343". Certainly that IS important to us. But what message does it send? How many have we lost both before and after 9/11? How many have died in the Military since that day, or how many of the corporations and private sector employees lost their lives?
We DO tend to be a little self-indulging. When a 40 year fire company member passes on 12 hours after decorating the fire hall, or staffing the station radio, we lump it right in with Charleston 9, or the Worcester 6 and that just isn't right. Sorry.
We do indeed bring some this on ourselves.
-
Permalink Reply by Linda Blaisdell on
-
I agree 100%
© 2024 Created by Firefighter Nation WebChief.
Powered by
