The top priority of most Fire Service Organizations is the satisfaction of the public and professional image. Let me ask you today,  how does one attain that? When the public calls for our assistance from the most minor medical call, to a residential lockout, to a fire in a building we are expected to operate in a efficient and professional manner.  The public expects us to run into that burning building, the public expects us to render aid to that person, they expect us to help them in any way possible. 

 Should you get that award making that push to the second floor and rescuing an infant? Should you get that award for an hour long vehicle extrication that resulted in a clinical save of a patient? Is that going above and beyond the call of duty? HECK NO!  This is what we were trained to do! To perform one of these actions solely for the glory and fame is not what is expected of us.  At the end of the day, we do our job for no recognition.  We hang our hat at the end of our day and move on to the next run. 

I feel the fire service has gotten away from its fundamentals.  Is firefighter safety the number 1 priority? Or is it the public’s life that provides us the opportunity to participate in the greatest job in the world? Let that sink in. Are you ready to give your life for the person that you have never met before and expect nothing in return? We need a reminder of one thing... This fire service owes us nothing... If anything we owe everything to the fire service for providing us with the brotherhood, honor, and pride that comes with It.

When you wake up for your next shift and put that uniform on and go screaming to that next call.  What is your award for doing your job? 

FTM-PTB

Stay Safe,

do the right thing and most of all, DO YOUR JOB!

Tyler Prater

St. Louis. Mo.