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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
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
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Smoke Eater on
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What???? Turnout gear is turnout gear. As long as it's not pink or purple.....LOL
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Permalink Reply by Benjiumen W. Denney on
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I did not quote anyone. If your an english major, than I am real sorry! I do make mistakes from time to time. It is that human thing...... A few extra dot things for ya !
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Permalink Reply by Dewayne and Diana Bean on
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Wow! So sad this happened, sometimes if you want heroism you need to think at what cost? I am just sorry that a family had to endure this trajedy. Yes, I do believe that firefighters are heroes, my FIL who died in the line of duty IS one. I know he never did it to say look at me! Sometimes with human nature we are exploiting the FD in the wrong light however Yes, not by choice but by works I believe we have firefighters who are or have become heroes!
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Permalink Reply by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on
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People, people:
You really don't have to explain to me what a hero is or in the plural, what heroes are.
All I am saying is: let the OTHERS call us that, if that is what they wish to do.
I have never once said that we have not had heroes in the fire service; living or dead.
When you have junior firefighters proclaiming that we/they are heroes, it lends itself to if this was their motivation for joining and if this is what they are striving to be. It could lead to cavalier and careless acts, all for the sake of heroism.
When I think of all of the heroes, living or dead, who have made an extraordinary effort above and beyond the call of duty, I am proud that I am in their fraternity as a firefighter, but in no way does that make ME a hero. That would marginalize the true meaning of "hero".
I don't say that out of disrespect, but with the greatest respect.
We all have our awards ceremonies, usually at the end of the year, when we recognize individual accomplishments, as we should. And on the award, it will say something like "firefighter of the year" or its equivalent.
If our communities want to honor some of us and they choose to put "hero" on the award, let them; thank them with humility and go on about our business.
I see nothing wrong with it, nor do I see a problem with my logic.
Of course, that might be jaded; I don't know.
But, I respect your points of view.
I am not asking anyone to agree with me.
TCSS.
Art
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Permalink Reply by rfdjumper on
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Chief,
Great discussion too bad the Horse has been flogged, beaten, cooked and served. Look forward to your next topic. Oh by the way.... Ferris Bueller you're my hero!
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Jumper:
Nice tie!:-)
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Permalink Reply by John Rulli Jr. on
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Well said Damnthing! I believe a hero is someone outside of our service risking there own life to save anouther. We are just doing our jobs.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on
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Busy-
I like your DRUM analogy. But instead of being for heroes can it be for the everday fire fighters?
Alex, Is there a difference? We all have the potential to be in the wrong place at the right time where we can make a difference and save a life, resulting in being labeled as a hero. When this happens, and it does, and often, the public and media are going to run with it, face it, it sells papers and that translates to money. It also translates into voters supporting the fire and ems services. To not take advantage of this love hate relationship we have in regard to the "hero" issue is absurd. There just aren't enough dollars to go around anymore, as if there ever really was... So anyone who's read this post and decided to almost crawl under a rock because they did something good needs to remember that in order to survive, we need icons. If we don't seize the opportunity then I promise you that the law enforcement side of things will, and they won't even say thank you. Times are tough and the luxury of having an altruistic outlook on life went away a long time ago. Think survival and take advantages of opportunities as they present themselves. Our future depends on it. BZ
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One of the more salient points of this conversation was summed up in your observation regarding any firefighter having the ability to be a hero but not one just because they are a firefighter. Well said. BZ
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whoa... don't leave out the pink turnouts used by the breast cancer awareness fire engine that traveled across the country last year. BZ
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Permalink Reply by Bonnie on
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Thank you so much for posting this. I agree with you completely. Firefighting/EMS is a job. We go to school, we train to perform the duties of Responder. Doing what we are trained to do does not make us heroes. I am frustrated by the machismo and the egotism that some responders have. If you are doing the job because you feel you have something to prove, you are doing it for the wrong reason. That has a potential to create a danger to you or others.
That being said, the fire service has evolved from fire fighting. We do so much more than that. Truly how often to we bust down doors with charged hose lines, slinging distraught citizens over our shoulders in a rescue? The majority of our job is to be that compassionate voice, reassuring presence to the sick or injured. It shouldn't be about our egos but about the people who pay us to serve them.
Thanks again for your post. I have enjoyed reading the responses. Stay safe and God Bless.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Adams on
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Reno 911? Not a happy picture for sure. But sometimes we do have to laugh at ourselves?
TV shows like Reno 911, makes us stop and see how human we are, but also how we are seen by people and how to realize its just Hollywood? Yes, it counters much of the positive work that fire/ems/rescue/police and like do.. Or it makes it even more that we do it, put ourselves out and take the risk. Not for glory or profits, but cause someone has to do it?
For me, being a EMT/Driver, gave me reasons to be sober, to stay alive, and slow down and think about things.. To respect myself and to get over several things I needed something, to keep me focused.
Like losing my job, a close buddies suicide and other "fun". Gave me a place to live even for a short while, so I could readjusted, even got an on call job at the local hospital.. But mostly it gave me respect, and a purpose. Still working on a poem about a "Run".. Some of the most intense times of my life..
But I did what I could just cause.. It sure beat crawling up into a bottle. Even after picking up one of my SGTs corpse after his DUI.. I still tell the story, and hopefully it will strike home on why I feel people need to call a cab or DD or something. I normally drive cab at nights, so go figure. Can't at this time, medical reasons, waiting on the VA.. Glad I got them, but ..
I do think some more might be done to show the things we do and the effect.. Be it a medic in Iraq, or fighting a house fire, or doing all you can to find some one lost in the woods?
Story ideas:
Vietnam Era Medic, wants to do EMS? but ..
Trying to save some kids who had been huffing diesel fuel.
Trying to rescue some idiot who had to jump of the Golden Gate bridge and other like things.
Medic who found out that pulling bodies out of a frozen air craft is not what he wanted.
But also those especially who do it year after year, seen a lot and you wonder how they do it?
But also the love and respect in a Infantry units eyes, when they tell how they love their "Doc"..
Humor would be nice, such as wife wakes up to her instructor hubby, who was to tired to take his "makeup off"..
Scene Security, or why you let the Cops do their job?
Or the fun call if you can call them that, like the little old lady who is lonely? And called EMS how many times, to just have someone to talk to?
The drunk who some how gets hit by a "car" so can go to the hospital to warm up?
And then the sad ones, like the DUIs? Use them to help teach people why NOT to do things.
I do know, it sure beats sitting at home, and playing video games! One day may get back into doing EMS or even become a fire fighter. But for now its all talk, so will see. Just got tired of dealing with drunks.. Long story. Sober 10 years now. Trying to help others, but its all talk until I go and do it..
Mike
Alaska
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