The Social Network & Community JUST for Firefighters
Lucky charms
What "lucky" items do you carry to beat the odds?
Do you have a routine you always do? A phrase you use when on a call?
I Have on my pager one of my buttons from my first fire fighting tunic and I wear a Celtic cross, Are these good luck charms? I realy don't know, but I feel funny without them.
Do you have a routine you always do? A phrase you use when on a call?
I Have on my pager one of my buttons from my first fire fighting tunic and I wear a Celtic cross, Are these good luck charms? I realy don't know, but I feel funny without them.
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Joe Sheldon on
-
I haven't found anything that I've needed to do or have. Maybe some day something will happen and I'll find a "lucky charm."
-
Permalink Reply by Huw Jones on
-
This has always been a thought provoking topic,
The best things to keep us safe IS full PPE, the right tools and knowledge how to use them, but after seeing some things happen to people because they were in the wrong spot at the wrong time, even though they had all the right tools and PPE or not happen to people just because they were in the right spot when something went wrong, you have to believe in something, I tend to put it down to pure luck.
I am also a fatalist, if your number is up, away you go, but, and this is the question, can it be deffered?
-
Permalink Reply by Dan Hoey on
-
I have 2 shamrocks on my helmet and a mass card from my brother who was a firemen that was lost in 04 inside my helmet I tell my kids I love them as a get off the truck each time out loud like they can hear me.
-
-
Mine are not for "luck" they are just things I like having, I believe luck is when opportunity meets preparation, but saying I love you to my kids lets me know I have a reason to be smart and not foolish. A good call is always one when everyone comes home I have been on the other end and have been there when others are lost and its a feeling I hope no one has to deal with. This thing we do has danger no amount of training or skill can make it with out risk sorry for those who think they are too good for the devil to take you but I can give you the names of 343 guys who had all the training. I lost a friend on my truck years ago in a "simple fire" during over haul because things can happen no matter how good or well trained you are thats the nature of the beast so never take any fire or alarm for granted.
-
-
I don't think they are a danger, I lack of fear and respect for what you are doing is dangerous
-
Permalink Reply by Mick Mayers on
-
Well, you all are right. But I think other than good training, good ppe, a piece of metal shaped like something from Mad Max that we give a name to and pay a lot of money for because it has an NFPA rating, and a damn good flashlight, I think we are talking about our little superstitions that most of us have.
At our department we lift a foot off the ground when the pre-alert tone goes out to wish the call on another station. Very useful when you are lying in bed at zero-three-hundred, wishing to stay under those warm covers. We forbid anyone to say, "wow, it's quiet", or "haven't run a call all day". Or after dropping a patient off at the ER, saying to the hospital staff, "see you later", because trust me, then you will. Rookies get yelled at for that kind of stuff. You can talk about it at shift change, but not before.
As far as personal stuff, I have a St. Florian card and a palm frond (from Palm Sunday) taped inside my helmet, along with a St. Florian medal that our state chaplain gave me that was blessed by Pope John Paul II (before he died, obviously). I've got the card and frond configuration in my US&R helmet as well.
You can make fun all you want, but I'm not going anywhere without them. And yes, there's nothing wrong with a short prayer before going into service, but especially so when things are getting hairy.
-
Permalink Reply by David E. Stokes on
-
To me, the best "good luck charm" is being prepared. Yes, we all carry our St. Florian charms and cards, or some little momento we believe gives us luck. Being prepared and trained is the only way to beat the odds, if you can always beat the odds. I pray each time we go out that we all will return, in one peace and safe. Are we truely in charge of our destiny? Some will argue that point im sure, but the Father above will decide if and when we are called. Be safe and prepare for all you can, I want you all to come home after the call.
-
Permalink Reply by Spanner 122 on
-
I always wear my St. Florian charm/necklace. Aside from that I don't really have a good luck charm (although the story goes that if you're wearing your charm you will not be harmed; I certainly won't let that be what saves me though, lol). As for routines; I am a creature of habit, my gloves, flashhood, boots and coat are always in the same place. Not only am I a little obsessive compulsive, it's nice to be able to put it on with my eyes half closed in the middle of the night.. haha.
-
Permalink Reply by Craig Hamer-Mathew on
-
I dont take or wear anything special to incidents. I do have a strict routine that I go through when dressing in my turn out gear.
I always put my left sock and boot on before starting on my right. I polish my left boot before my right directly after returning from any incident. I also never wear my tunic or helmet until we get to the incident and disembark from the vehicles. I have also done this right throughout my sports career from the time I can remember (apart from polishing as you dont polish footy boots).
I also agree with some others who state that luck is not what you want while at an incident. If you have the knowledge and skills required to perform your required tasks then you shouldn't need luck.
-
-
I also listen to the same song in the car on my way to the station.
You will find this on my page "Standing outside the Fire" by Garth Brooks. GREAT SONG for the firies.
-
Permalink Reply by Shayna Orsen on
-
Well I have to admit there's no substitute for good training. BUT to be on the safe side I have my shamrock on the outside of my helmet, and I have pictures of my family (including my oldest nephew's sock he wore home from the hospital courtesy of his mother) on the inside. It never hurts to have reminders that make you think before you act, does it?
-
Permalink Reply by Kristy Oxholm on
-
After my Dad died in a line of duty EMS accident (ski patrol), his fire department gave me his accountability tag. This was early in the tag days and they had aluminum tags with names stamped on them. I carried this with my gear for over 10 years. When my brother took command of a US Navy Submarine I wracked my brain trying to figure out what to give him. Then one day as I was heading to a call I realized that I'd had 10 years of a good luck charm and it was time to pass it on. I gave the tag to my brother and told him that it had kept me safe and now it was his turn. He retired from the Navy this summer, so I guess it worked! I haven't carried a good luck charm since then.
I teach new firefighters that there is no substitute for training and practice to keep us safe. I truly believe that, but also believe that a good luck charm can't hurt!
© 2024 Created by Firefighter Nation WebChief.
Powered by
