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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 Dave Hustead on
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You are correct. We have all joined the volunteer service to help our community be it a fire and/or ems call. I previously belonged to a dept. that was sending e-mails to the complete membership about "exceptional work" performed by a select few and I felt this was wrong. If you didn't attend the call then I guess you are not among the "chosen few". We all are volunteers who respond when we are available and perform the duties we have been trained to complete.
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Permalink Reply by greg on
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Duty first and just keep on waiting for glory because that is not what it is about. In all my years in the fire and e.m.s. I have always fell silent when people started talking about heros and the glory. I cant take any gratification at the expence of those less fortunate. I can only hope that the skills I was taught I put to use to help others, I mean after all that is what we are suppose to do, that is what we are trained to do. No instructor ever taught me how to accept anything other than to accept that I have done my best to help others. My rewards are personal and very gratifing to say the least. My rewards are the looks on the people I have helped and nobody can ever take those memories away and that is the best reward anyone can get. The word "hero" is for those who are seeking a statis and a title. I dont need either to do a good job and serve as I sighned up to do. Sure, the thankyou (s) and kind words make a tough job all the more satisfing but they are also not a requirement. Fight the beast I say and live long and prosper!! May all the brothers come home. G.k
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I have been in the fire service 18 years . I like many of my brothers do not for a moment think we are heros. I believe that there are a few fine upstanding brothers that have paid the ultimate price in the line of duty. Most are like the many, We get in our apparatus and respond as we are trained to due, never have I heard a fellow brother say today is the day I become a hero. If I ever did I would stop and let them of at the corner. Perhaps even fatten there lip for them. We never know what faces us in the line of duty,Just because you do as you are trainned to do,do what YOU signed up to do, doesnt in my book get you anything other than the personal satisfation of doing you job. If anybody shows up at your firehouses looking to become a hero tell them to apply at the local comic book shop because thats were they will find them, if they show up wanting to bring honor,dedication and the knowledge and will to help there fellow man then send them to my house. May all that paid the ultimate sacrifice be remembered in the most respectable ways and may they always be remembered for there dedication to do what few are able to do. I have known many and will always keep them in high regards and will never forget the contrabutions they have made to the fire service. In remembrance of asst. Chief D.Lane and My first partner senior medic Ed Walsh. I will never forget.
sincerely
G.K.
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I would hope that the brothers will give this twisted individual exactly what he deserves, may the ax fall heavy and may the man not see another day free. Arson is a crime that is unacceptable and when a person such as this individual does as he has . Then the service should see to it that he never gets the chance to do it again!!! I hope that the members from the house he used to belong to stand tall and prosecute this worthless @#$#@%&***^%. Our duty is to save lives, let this individual get away and or get some kind of deal because he was supposidly not right in the head and more lives will be lost needlessly! I am ashamed of his actions
G.K.
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Permalink Reply by Rhys Emery on
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ffs r not heros its r job just like any other if someone is on a dept to be a hero get rid of them. they will only get peaple hurt. well stay safe.
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Permalink Reply by chief 3 on
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Yes i am with you on that. We are not heros we are just men and women doing are jobs and doing what we do best.
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Permalink Reply by Jacob Fouts on
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I have to say that I have had the public come up and say that we are truly heros, but I dismiss it. I thank the public for the sentiment, and many times I take a moment to explain that the fire service is not made up of heros, but selfless individuals that want to see things be handled safely, and mitigate an incident that is beyond the publics control. The only hero status that I believe in is being a good father and role model for my children. No heros in the fire service, just good people.
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Permalink Reply by turk182 on
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I do not believe I am a hero.
I just love helping people are real heros are the men and women in the military serving our great country.
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Permalink Reply by firemanrichie on
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i dont consider myself a hero ,its my job to lay my life down for another if necessary, this is the profession we chose and we know the consequences that can happen .
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Permalink Reply by Robert Stewart on
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Here in Australia as result of the many bushfires we've experience in the last few years the public see's volunteer fire fighters as heroes cause we put our lives at risk just to protect lives & properties, but to be honest i dont see myself as a hero just an ordinary everyday person who stops whatever he is doing at the sound of a pager to don the white helmet & yellow overalls and save lives
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