The Social Network & Community JUST for Firefighters
Quickly Before I Sleep
Or at least that's what I'm hoping for. It is, after all, the off-season around these parts and subject to the occasional night with no calls. I chose to work a double for the last minute overtime, because there's nothing like 24 more hours of time-and-a-half on a Captain/Paramedic salary to make Christmas bill paying that much more cheery this year. And since this now officially appears to be my last year of OT eligibility, it's a little bittersweet. Because, for those of you who actually read my blogs, you know I was testing and I ultimately hit the lottery, resulting in my signing the papers to promote to Battalion Chief in January.
I say bittersweet because it's nights like tonight, when my crew is back snoring peacefully in their government-issue rack, when I have some time to reflect on what it all means and how much I love this job. My great-grandfather and his subsequent progeny all worked on the job and I will never understand how something I fell into like this would end up meaning so much to me. When I say it's a calling, I'm sincere. When I watch that contraversial LAFD truckie video, I watch those crews working and think, I wish I could have video taped everything I have seen for the last 27 years and saved it to watch over and over again.
I joined the "Katrina's Heroes" Group tonight not because I thought myself a hero, but when I checked out the group and went to post, I registered in. But that being said, that's pretty much how I ended up in Louisiana in the first place, so I found it somewhat appropriate. I didn't go there to be a hero, and I don't call what I did heroic, but to someone, somewhere, we tried to make a difference, and I like to think we did. So there you are- you are now officially a hero.
What is heroic about anything we do? Is toiling at less than a living wage to do something you love heroic? Because for many firefighters, they'd do it for free. Many do. Does that make them heroic instead? Does the sacrifice of hours of training make you heroic? Probably any sacrifice of leaving your family for hours on end and giving to your community qualifies you for heroism, don't you think?
I have always joked that firefighting is "the family business". It's as much of what I am and do as having gray eyes. It is just that- what I am. When someone asks me what I do, I say, "I'm a firefighter". Despite all the titles and accolades, it's as clear and simple as that. I'm a firefighter.
So with that, I'm going to bed. But something for you all before I go:
It's all about the people you share it with. And if you can't have fun while you are doing it, then why the hell are you here? It's truly the best job anyone could ever imagine.
Add a Comment
-
Comment by SMOKEnPipesJim on December 20, 2007 at 5:08pm
-
MIck,Here's something thatwill hopefullyhelp you through the next stages of your career..
-
Comment by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on December 2, 2007 at 7:11pm
-
Congratulations, BC.
Wearing the white hat isn't so bad. I did it for 14 years. Your focus goes from singular to multiple. I always thought forcing a door, venting, hose ops, etc. were fun stuff when I was doing it. But, when I switched to the white helmet, my "fun" increased 20-fold. Now you get to share in the joy of others doing it.
My thought on firefighting? It not what you do. Rather, it's who you are.
Anyone who looks at it strictly for the paycheck is missing out. Their retirement will be a footnote, attended by immediate family and a few friends. But their "real brothers" will all have something else going on that day.
Take care of your brothers. The money will take care of itself.
Art
-
Comment by Mick Mayers on December 1, 2007 at 8:33pm
-
I like that. I think I'm seriously going to do that myself in my new white N6A (I think I've been a good boy this year, Santa).
-
Comment by Tiger Schmittendorf on December 1, 2007 at 1:21pm
-
I use little reminders, triggers, like writing their names on the underside of my helmet lid: Laurie, Kathleen and Alex.
I was in a ripping house fire last night, a real firefight, we were going up to the second floor to open the walls, so I took my helmet off to don my mask - and there were their names to remind me to do it right.
It reminds me that I have a RESPONSIBILITY to make sure I use everything in my toolbox of knowledge, experience, training and power to go home to them after the fire.
And not in a pine box.
-
-
That's actually very true, which is why I try to think of them in every action I take. Thanks for your comments.
-
-
Congrats Mick -
That's awesome. And I certainly understand the uneasy anticipation of the pending transition.
If you're looking for ways to keep giving back to the Katrina group, there's still plenty of work to be done.
Check out the profile for Hancock Hope and think about getting involved. It's been a very rewarding experience for me.
And on the topic of heroism, I'm sure you've heard all of the cliches I have about how your first act of heroism is takes place the day you join and everything after that is expected; etc.
Does truly being a brother in the brotherhood sense make us heroes?
You asked the question: "Probably any sacrifice of leaving your family for hours on end and giving to your community qualifies you for heroism, don't you think?"
I'd agree, except that doing what you described is not a sacrifice for me. It's my family who are making the real sacrifices. Thus I think it's them who are the real heroes.
Their sacrifices allow me to keep doing what I love - and for that, I love them.
Food for thought.
© 2024 Created by Firefighter Nation WebChief.
Powered by
You need to be a member of My Firefighter Nation to add comments!
Join My Firefighter Nation