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Do you feel like your getting the Proper Pat on the Back
Tell me if you think you've done a great job or are doing a great job and to not feeling satisfied from the Community around you please let me know. I'd like to try to help!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by mike james seaborn on
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"How's That? You Say" Well you would tell me your story and were you are from and I try to pass along a message to your Community to say "Yeh didn't you know" Coming from me not the person I was Disscusing with. That's How, Mr. Kevin King. Thank you very much for stopping by!
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Permalink Reply by Engineco913 on
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In the fire service unfortunately we have a thankless job. On average (at least in America) a citizen utelizes the fire service 2 times in thier life. After the fire service helps this individual out, there is generally a period of time (usually 3 months) where they help us with words of praise, cookies/brownies/goodies, and thank you cards. After this 3 month (estimated time) period, the fire service is again on the back burner. Most people (being we live in a reactive society) don't understand why things cost so much money, especially when we don't necessarily effect them directly. (if they have no emergencies) They don't see or understand the Proactive need to fully supply and keep maintaing equipment which the price is forever increasing. (example Our 1997 custom pumper was $212,000 our 2007 close to the same spec was $348,000) I don't volunteer to get a pat on the back. I do the job for the simple self satisfaction that I don't sit on my ass when people need help. I use my training and exercise my knowledge to assist people in need. Look at 9-11. After 9-11 people understood the harsh reality of what firefighter do. After 9-11 there was so much appreciation for the fire service, it was almost overwhelming. Funds were granted readily, equipment was purchased without qualm. Today in 2007, almost 6 years later it is not on the forefront of minds. Yes they can recall where they were. The may recall everything about the event, but the fact we lost so many of our peers doesn't grip their hearts as it did then. If the public wants to help us out, have them join, and participate. Let them see the daily struggles we have to provide PPE thats NFPA compliant. Let them see our communications systems are all in shambles since cell phones took over the virtual airspace. Let them see the costs of replacing equipment that is long overdue to be replaced.
It isn't easy to be a firefighter. It is a lot of physical punishment, a lot of mental and psychological damage occurs every year (CISD teams etc) It takes a strong mind to learn what we learn, and perfect it. It takes millions of hours across the world to go through training. For volunteers, the hours alone that are donated to the town are never seen, they are just numbers. In a fair representation (adding insurance etc) whats the general cost per firefighter per hour on a shift of normal time pay? $28 an hour? Take the number of calls per year multiply it by the number of personel responding per year, (per call) add in the amount of training, general station duties, and anything else done to make the firehouse a better place, then multiple it by the $28 an hour. The cost is in the millions!!!!!
A simple great job is always rewarding. I know I feel an overwhelming sense of pride to have someone stop by the station with goodies, or a thank you card, because I know I was part of the team who made that happen.
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Permalink Reply by Dan Hoey on
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If I went into emergency services for money and thanks I would be a broke unhappy man. Thank you for your concern but I always ask Has anyone thanked your garbage man lately or your kids teacher or the people keeping this site up? I think everyone is worth a thank you for all they do
Plus I want to thank stupid people and mistakes without them we all be bored!!
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Permalink Reply by Terry Lambert on
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Being able to help others in there time of need, is thank's enough for me.
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Permalink Reply by turk182 on
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I do not think anyone becomes a firefighter because the want patted on the back most do it because they have a desire to help their community and other communities.
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You My Man are a true Firefighter. Not in it for the glory but in it for others, it takes a strong willed person to step up and put his or her life at risk which I know you all are!
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Permalink Reply by Spanner 122 on
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There are no pats on the back in my job, nor are they needed. It's nice to hear from the Capt now and then that he's proud of his crew after a particularly dirty job, but even that isn't necessary; there's just a feeling after a call that cannot be described, no amount of appreciation, or lack there of will change that. We are a large department and we are not treated very well by our city council. We are the forgotten cousins, and largely left behind when it comes to fairness and you know what? I still get to go to work each day with a smile on my face because I love what I do. My credit card bills are growing, my car is getting old, my kid takes all my money and I am still happy. I do what I love and love what I do. I should be thanking the city for letting me do this job (okay, let's not get carried away... ;) ).
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Permalink Reply by Stephanie on
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I think that if you want to get patted on the back for a job you do, then firefighting is not one to try. Yeah maybe sometimes it feels good to know that you are on the right track, but I wouln't expect one from anyone not even the people I work with. We all have each others back, and I think that you don't need to have that little extra self esteem boost to make you do a better job.
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Permalink Reply by medic69 on
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im with everybody else-i love what i do and do what i love. not only am fire but i also work for an ambulance company. i love the look on faces when i make a sick child feel a little better when i let them hold my stuff and i tell what im doing and i also hate the look when i have to tell them that a loved one has passed but i will always check on them in a few days to see how the family is doing no matter what i was called to the house for and just checking on them and making sure there doing ok is all the thanks i need! i dont need a pat on the back a pay raise or any of that other stuff i just want people to get out of my way when im running hot! thats all i need and want
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Permalink Reply by Heather on
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Don't need a pat on my back because when I go at nite I know I done the very best for my community. Beening in the fire/ems services poeple just forget about us. Just do the job the best u can and for the commnuity. You might get a pat on the on this earth but the number above is patting. God Blessand Stay Safe.
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Permalink Reply by Smoke Eater on
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Thanks but I'm not in it for a pat on the back or any kind of thanks. It's just what we do.
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Permalink Reply by Adam Box on
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I think when you ask someone in the fire service who deserves a pat on the back, their own name is at the bottom of their list.
As for me, I'd like a pat on the back for my fire officers, for the instructors, and a much deserved pat on the back for those firefighters who maybe don't have the funding they should but make due anyway.
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