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 Joey "BigShow" De Piano on March 27, 2009 at 5:47pm

Anyone THATS anyone who joins our ranks to be a HERO is not here for the love of it, anyone wishing to become a HERO can join our Armed Forces and stand their ground before the man and get his/her tin pinned on, and even then most real heros won't look for that they just do what needs to be done ...For the men and women who came before us and paid the scrifice they are Hero ...any member acting in such a manner should be assigned 4th due the desk

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Permalink Reply by Cory Deaton on March 28, 2009 at 10:29am

I couldnt agree more it makes me sick to see people come on the dept to become the title HERO. All they want is lights and sirens and look at me, they dont care to help others just themselves. Hopefully someday we can get these people to see what the job is all about.

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Permalink Reply by David R Czapla; (CHOPPY) on March 28, 2009 at 11:41am

Bravo chief...Bravo.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Adams on March 28, 2009 at 3:30pm

Anyone done firefighting and like in Iraq or Afghanistan? I expect Mr. President will be wanting more to go there and help out stabilize and train the locals and more..

Mike
Alaska

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Permalink Reply by John on March 28, 2009 at 11:18pm

"Don't want to be a hero, just an everyday man. Just doing the job the very best I can."

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Permalink Reply by Palmyra Chief Donaghey on March 31, 2009 at 12:13am

Art, One of the reasons we dont allow the use of lights on POVs is to stop the ambulance chasers and wanna-be heros. It is a fact that humane nature makes most people desire to be hero and you can find them in every job field. All we can do is screen our applicants well and use our knowledge to keep the lose screws tight. My firefighters are heros and I will always pat them on the back and remind them of that.

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Permalink Reply by Jeremy Bell on March 31, 2009 at 12:27am

we are not a ''hero'' for being a firefighter...we are just people doing what we love at the governments expense...gotta love it!!

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Permalink Reply by Mike Adams on March 31, 2009 at 2:45am

DO NOT worry about what the news media says, they are sadly often bottom feeders. But they do not have to be!

Do your job, to the best you can, and things will work out. Or should..

Maybe invite more news media to be come EMS/Fire/Police/Fight Fighters/Search and Rescue/CAP (Civil Air Patrol) and other groups that rise up, do the job and do much more than many do..

"Don't vote, don't bitch"? Same goes for commenting?

I do know there was times I was amazed I did anything, above and beyond and all, nothing heroic, just more than what I normally was use to from me!?

Mike

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Permalink Reply by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on March 31, 2009 at 11:02am

Chief Donaghey:
As I said in an earlier post, it's OK to have heroes.
They might very well be your firefighters. I have described my heroes.
But, if we slip into that persona every day, then "hero" loses its impact.
"Hero" becomes ordinary, nothing special; a daily routine.
I believe that we should save the few times that an extraordinary act occurs for the application of the description of "hero".
Otherwise; it ain't nothin'.
Art

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Permalink Reply by Palmyra Chief Donaghey on March 31, 2009 at 7:48pm

Art, I understand what you mean entirely. When someone is a hero in their own eyes they are a disturbed& dangerous individual. They are the cancer that needs to be cut from fire service, much like the bad cops that we read about quite often. When you or your guys go to teach fire saftey at your local school look at those eyes.........you are idolized.....a hero in those eyes. You might even be saving a life by teaching that day. We dont think of it as heroism, just a job that we love. You dont think of yourselves as heros.......but in childrens eyes you are.... Take Care & Play Safe.

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Permalink Reply by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on March 31, 2009 at 8:53pm

Yeah; you absolutely GET it.
When I was active, I went to the schools.
Love the kids.
TCSS.
Art

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Permalink Reply by Russell McLean on March 31, 2009 at 9:20pm

With all due respect, we need to embrace the fact that we are heroes to many, not stop it. I think the problem is with the individual, not with the crew, station, department, profession, etc. I think this could be addressed through background checks prior to joining, supervision during training and each and every scene. If the person is doing something that is endangering himself or his crew, then correct it. Right then. Either they shape up or you weed them out.
All the recognition I have ever needed is for someone to say "Thank You" if they choose. If they don't, that's all right. That's not why I got into this buisness.
For far too long in the country, we have highlighted the loser, the person who rebels against authority, the misfit. It is time we celebrated the person who stands for what is right, who puts others before himself, who choose to do the right thing, even when no one is looking.
Do I consider myself a hero? That's not for me to decide. Do I think what I do is heroic? YES. Does that change the way I approach a situation, doing something in a way that would gain credit for myself, but endanger my crew or those around me? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!
What do I consider heroic? My wife-who keeps the home fires burning, when her husband is gone at all hours of the day and night, doing Lord knows what. My daughter and my son-who still manage to do their schoolwork, chores, and still have a smile and a hug for Daddy when he comes home even though he's missed a school function or a game.
You want to hear about a real hero? Last May we lost a brother firefighter to colon cancer. He was 44 years old. He left behind a wife and two young sons. He was also a high school football coach(we're a volunteer department)and lived every day as if it were his last. He always had a smile and a kind word, and every time you turned around, HE WAS THERE. He kept on doing this job until he physically wasn't able to anymore. He was buried a hero. The greatest tribute I can give him is to say that he was my BROTHER and my FRIEND.
Hero? we are ALL heroes.