Good morning.

As is becoming my early morning custom, I have reviewed a number of fire service boards, blogs, web sites, and news sites, searching for news items of relevance to me. Although there is nothing new so to speak from last night, most recent postings are following common themes.

Line Of Duty Deaths:
We continue to lose our public safety personnel at an alarming rate. One week ago today three Pittsburgh Police Oficers were ambushed, shot and killed. A detective with the Lenoir County Sheriff's Office, NC, shot and killed while trying to arrest a murder suspect. In East Feliciana Parish, Louisianna, Deputy Sheriff James Stiles Jr died this week as a result of a traffic accident. His patrol vehicle was struck by another vehicle, which had swerved to avoid yet a third vehicle.

On the firefighting side, a Wisconsin pilot assigned to the Department of Natural Rescources died in an aircraft accident, while responding to a wildfire. Also in Wisconsin, Deputy Chief John Weber of the Eau Claire Fire Department died in the line of duty. He had responded to his station for a brush fire. Other firefighters found the Deputy Chief, dead, at the station when they returned from the call.

From the Department of Defense, five soldies were killed by an explosion in Baghdad. Yes, they "volunteered". However, regardless of our calling, haven't we all "volunteered" to serve, or work, in the jobs that we do. Yes, Baghdad is a war zone. That does not make their deaths, and our loss, any less tragic. Politics aside, they serve so that you and I may write, speak, say, and assemble as we please. I left the military in 1988. Yet I still wear my dog tags. And I will continue to do so, until all of our men and women in uniform are removed from areas of hostility. Just my way of reminding me, everyday, of the sacarfices that are being made every day by our armed forces personnel.

Many of us have chosen to enter very dangerous occupations. The danger that one is exposed to does not increase, or decrease, if a paycheck is collected. Just becuase we accept the risks, as do our families, does not mean that we should ever get complacent. To coin a phrase from an old televison show (Hills Street Blues), "Let's Be Careful Out There".

Apparatus Accidents:
On a critical incident NOBODY will remember what order you arrived if you drove sensibly at the speed limit. However EVERYONE will remember if you drove like an idiot at excessive speed and didn't arrive at all. Drivers, please, slow these rigs down!! OIC's, you are ultimately responsible for the safe operation of that apparatus. Direct your drivers to slow down!

We are having too many apparatus accidents, destroying the apparatus, hurting (and killing) too many firefighters and citizens. This is what we call "public service"?

Physical Fitness:
I have not seen the statistics lately, but I believe that heart attacks continue to lead the list as the leading cause of deaths for firefighters. Meals too often are on the run, from fast food establishments who are not really known for preparing healthy food. Many of us are adrealine junkies, but the unsaid translation there is we strive on extremely high stress levels. The reality of working in public safety is that, if we make a mistake, someone could (and oftend does) die.

One would think that for those who expose themselves to so much, who push their bodies far beyond what is considered "normal", that we would be in fantastic physical condition. And yet on our local watch desk is a thread for the "300 club". Firefighters (active!!??) who must weigh a minimum of 300 pounds to be a member of that "club". Why would membership in that club be something to be proud of? Are these guys the social or departmental leaders of their companies, watching as young guys are gaining weight just so that they can be like their mentors? Get off your butts and get some exercise!!! Join a gym or health spa for goodness sakes.

Don't do it for me. Don't do it for your department. How about getting into shape for yourself, for your spouse, for your kids? I am sure they would much rather have you here, then see your name on a memorial wall outside your department.

Mad? Offended?? Good!! Then get up and do something about it!


For the Public Safety Personnel:

On a critical incident NOBODY will remember what order you arrived if you drove sensibly at the speed limit. However EVERYONE will remember if you drove like an idiot at excessive speed and didn't arrive at all.

Everyone Goes Home
Pete