I, like other fire service professionals, like to read about goings on in other parts of the country. It is always exciting and interesting to read about large, unique and dangerous events where our brothers and sisters were put into action and succeeded. This is especially true of daring rescues that are recorded and written about. After all, that is what most of us got into this business for anyway, right?
What I find interesting is that each and every time one of our own is interviewed and asked about the incident and are praised by the reporters, the same comment escapes with a humble expression on their face; “I was just doing my job.” Or at least something to that affect. Although this is probably true and it is accurate, the more I thought about this quote, the more questions I had about just doing our “job.”
Having the opportunity to work in a fully career department and with a combination department, I get to see variations of attitudes and motivations from both sides. One common theme that is complained about, and I will have to admit that I see it more often in the career department, is that everything we do while on duty is a part of our “job.” Does this mean that we like every component of what we are expected to do? No. What it means is that we are expected to do certain things as a part of our service to the citizens of our jurisdiction and surrounding community.
I have seen and heard many firefighters and officers belly ache because we had to attend a block party at 7:00 at night. I have heard comments about P.R. events made that basically said that every time the ambulance goes out we get P.R. and that’s all that we need. (I know, wow!) We get called to pick someone off the floor and we cuss and complain because we are getting knocked out for a non-fire related call.
Now let me just say that I have been guilty of this belly aching at times in the past and I can’t say that under my breath I haven’t worded some comments in frustration. But, I try to remember why I am here. Sure, my idea of being a firefighter was one of beating down flames all day and cutting people out of cars. Let’s face it, our job has changed tremendously over the last 20 years or so. The tasks that we perform on a daily basis may have changed but the goal is still the same, service to our citizens.
It just seems that I hear and see a lack of love for the “job” and it is frustrating and a drag to hear all the negativity about what we do. I don’t believe that what we do is much different than what ‘Jakes’ have been doing for years, we just notice more because we aren’t working a job every other day or so like in years past. But, the “job” is still the same. Go, when someone calls.
That really is the bottom line, right? Go, when the bell sounds? We have the best job in the world and only we can reduce that to nil by what kind of attitude we bring with us when we walk in the door. Most days our job consists of public relations, invalid assists, lock outs, fire and smoke alarms, training and education, working on run cards and every other so-called menial task you can think of; that is our job and I love it. And then, you come in and get that occasional working fire and I love it even more.
Hey, where else can you come in and cut up all day, work out and get four days off every sixth day, watch a whole season of Dexter in one shift, do your homework, work on a project in the workshop and wash your car on someone else’s time? Appreciate it and work hard at all of the jobs that are required by this “job.” It’s all part of the package.