We Need to Stop The "Hero" Crap.

I am tired of seeing the "self-anointed accolades". We are giving people joining the fire service a lofty target to hit.

We are giving people in our communities a reason to resent us when WE refer to the honorable and courageous things that we do. In other words, they don't like US patting ourselves on the back.

People joining want to rise to hero status; some faster than others.

I read the Sunday paper and it sickened me when I came across this AP story from the New York Daily News: http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Caleb+Lacey

Caleb Lacey, 19, a Long Island volunteer firefighter doused an apartment staircase with gasoline and set the building ablaze-killing four-in a "twisted attempt to become a hero", prosecutors charged Saturday.

This has given the term "hero" and "volunteer firefighter" connotations that any right thinking person would not want to be associated with.

Stop selling the idea that we are "heroes" and what we do is "heroic".

We do what we do to HELP others. Period.

Anyone who believes that they will make a heroic effort someday; GET OUT NOW.

There are other "Caleb Laceys" in our fire service just waiting for their chance.

You should know them. You voted them onto your fire departments.

And it has given the news media just another reason to splash FIREFIGHTER CHARGED WITH...as their headline and given the evening news their lead in for the top story of the day.

God; please make it stop.

TCSS.
Art

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Permalink Reply by Dave on March 23, 2009 at 7:49pm

Maybe thats it!!! Foolish me!!

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Permalink Reply by Smoke Eater on March 23, 2009 at 7:50pm

It would be nice to get the kiddies out of here and just be a site for people who are serious about it and be here to learn from one another.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin on March 23, 2009 at 8:35pm

AMEN, to that just let us do our jobs like every other working person. all you need is to be happy THAT YOU ARE HELPING PEOPLE not always saving them

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Permalink Reply by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on March 23, 2009 at 8:42pm

So, what you're saying is that a chemical imbalance or some kind of chemical chain reaction short circuits the good part of our brain and drives us to do bad things?
OR is it a ph factor?
Wait for it...

Thank you.
Art

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Permalink Reply by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on March 23, 2009 at 8:48pm

Cap:
We could do this after 8:00 when they're all in bed!
TCSS.
Art

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Permalink Reply by scott stribling on March 23, 2009 at 9:00pm

Art,

1. Yes, Sir, is meant with respect.
2. Seems I missed the bus on the conversation. I was in the middle of a "discussion" with my wife.

I don't view myself as a "hero". I served in the US Army for 11 years; and have been in the fire service for 3 years. I signed on the bottom line both times to serve my country and then my community.

That "heroic" act may come someday, but I will not be the one to deem it as such.

I know of no such "hero" claimers in our department, but that does not mean they don't exist. I have met some volunteers that have the "be all you can be" attitude but no clue!

So my apologies for the personal attack with my previous post. I stand corrected.

Scott

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Permalink Reply by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on March 23, 2009 at 9:10pm

Scott:
Very gracious.
Apology accepted.
The "sir" thing came from another post.
I never know when someone is serious or not when they refer to me as "sir".
Art will do just fine.
My friends call me Art.
Hope you got things worked out at home.
TCSS.
Art

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Permalink Reply by Don Beltrami on March 23, 2009 at 10:53pm

I think you may find that with any job with a potential for abuse there will be those who take that job with the intent to abuse. With firefighters you find the occasional firebug , with cops the guy who likes to push people around, teachers or coaches the person who wants to abuse kids. The jobs provide the opportunity for these types of people to get access to whatever it is that they are obsessed by, without arousing suspicion. I don't think that trying to eliminate the concept of firefighting as a heroic profession will prevent people who want to abuse the profession from doing so. People like that have a mental health issue and the only way to catch it is to make sure we watch out for each other- if someone acts unusual or suspicious take note and say something, if not to them ,ask to speak to an officer in confidence about your concerns. Interview new prospects carefully. The concept of heroism, while not something that we should use lightly, has its place. Like military we train and drill to try to make skills automatic in a stressful situation. We try to build teamwork. But at some point you may face a situation where you need to find something extra in yourself to get out of a situation or make a hard desicion or prevent a situation from getting out of control. The expectation or concept that you are in a profession that may require bravery or "heroism" may help you to find that "extra something", if you believe that it is true that it is a heroic profession and that you are one of those "heroes". Our problem, maybe, is in what we consider to be heroism, or in the idea that it is something you seek, like fame or wealth, instead of it being something hard that you do when faced with poor choices. I think shallow or casual references to heroism may cheapen it or give the wrong impression of it to both the public and our incoming firefighters, but I don't think it is wrong to speak of duty, devotion, bravery, or to view these as character traits that are desirable, or to recognize them when they are demonstrated.

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Permalink Reply by PFC Harmon on March 23, 2009 at 10:57pm

Speaking of hijacking threads, Art I believe you just hijacked your own thread. If thats possible......

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Permalink Reply by Cody W. Nelson on March 23, 2009 at 11:04pm

I totally agree with you. I wish we could get across to the ones that want to be "heroes", that this job is about being humble. When someone refers to you as a hero, you play it down. I always tell people, "It's just a job, you could do it if you wanted to endure the training." Truth is, anyone can spray water on a fire, it takes a humble, responsible and morally correct person to truly be a firefighter. Great topic, thanks again.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Young on March 23, 2009 at 11:24pm

Let me finish this.........Those guys going up the towers 8 years ago, and continued to do their job, knowing the probable outcome.....Those guys are heroes. Take another........quit playing pro football and take up a rifle and go to war. I think we have beat this to death.

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Permalink Reply by Bobby King on March 24, 2009 at 9:33am

Definition of a Hero: noun, plural -roes; for 5 also -ros. 1. a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.
2. a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal: He was a local hero when he saved the drowning child.
3. the principal male character in a story, play, film, etc.
4. Classical Mythology. a. a being of godlike prowess and beneficence who often came to be honored as a divinity.
b. (in the Homeric period) a warrior-chieftain of special strength, courage, or ability.
c. (in later antiquity) an immortal being; demigod.

(dictionary.com)

True Definition of a Hero: The Dude that stepped up when everybody else retreated radioed and re evaluated and got a Claw hammer in the ear or over 90 percent of his body burned for his effort... You'll be able to spot these guys rather easily, Usually the Chief of the Department is handing their loved ones a crisply folded flag.