Firefighters in this country have not always had the goodwill we enjoy today. In some places the saying, "they break what they do not steal," was common. The trust we have is sacred and anything done by any of us to lessen it affects all of us.

I do volunteer work overseas. It is no biggie, just payback for the good life I have enjoyed. When I was sent to Russia a number of years ago, I took some language lessons to prepare. The Russian word for firefighter sounds like, "Pajarnick." My teacher, an expat Russian, told me not to tell people I was one as they are not held in high esteem. This was brought home when in a small Russian town I asked a friend to bring me to the local fire station one afternoon. She replied, "Why bother, they are all drunk by now."

During the bus and disco bombings in Israel it was my privilege to be allowed to work with the firefighters at the main station in Tel Aviv for three weeks. I made lasting friends among the dedicated men who responded to some horrific scenes of carnage. At a gathering a few weeks ago, I was told by an expat Israeli that firefighting in Israel is not viewed highly as it is here in the States. I was shocked.

When Engine 23 was dispatched to a call at a dumpster full of medical waste, I located the source as a dentist's office in a strip mall. The dentist, of East Indian decent, offered me a bribe to let it go. I called our hit team and he was appropriately fined. I did not think less of him for the offer as this is probably the way it is done where he grew up.

It took years for the fire service to go from the perception of a bunch of guys sitting around playing cards to the professional image we have now. The pride I have in my years of service and the people who are going on the calls, saving lives, and saving property every day is well placed in the next generation.