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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 Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on
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Well;
It is obvious from all of the replies that I struck a cord with many in the Nation.
I knew deep down that we were still a humble brother/sisterhood.
And make no mistake; when a young kid stands up and says that firefighters are his heroes, I am not going to discourage that, I will smile inwardly and thank him for his nice words.
Most of you understand that "hero" is a label that we will wear if we must, but it will be done quietly and certainly not done because we feel deserving. It is like when I am asked to say a few words at a dinner. I don't really WANT to, but if I HAVE to...
OK; bad example. I like to talk.
But we seem to get the notion that we don't "anoint" ourselves. We will leave that to others if they so choose.
Remember; there are also people out there who don't like us for their own, twisted reasons. And they can muster a vigorous battle with those who hold us in high esteem. They usually present themselves when a firefighter appears in the news who is facing charges.
My next blog-my 100th blog-will be about the "brother/sisterhood. The little guy in my head is running around like he's the lead in "Riverdance"!
Be looking for it and by all means, continue to discuss this.
TCSS.
Art
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Permalink Reply by Shaun Hansen on
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Amen brother, you hit it dead on... I am a volunteer with a small department... We have this issue. But you join for the moral obligation to protect and serve. "hero" they want to call themselves. Instead of bunker gear at the next call get them a red cape and blue tights. Then see how they feel....They disgrace our nature of being a service to the community., and helping thy neighbor when in need. I think they need to be retaught the real reason for what it means to be a firefighter....
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Permalink Reply by METALHEAD on
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AMEN!I posted something like this awhile ago and so did another brother. The lofty glamor and dillusion of grandure that these people have in some of thier heads is dangerous. Things need to be brought down a couple notches. Less camera boys and girls and more focus on the job.
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Permalink Reply by Amanda Drew on
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I agree with you, we are not "heros" we are everyday people doing what we love. I'm sure every department has guys who want to be "the hero" and "the firefighter", but they aren't going to get very far with that hidden agenda.
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Permalink Reply by bryan lamb on
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i agree with what you say here, my two boys are my world and as long as i live they are the only ones i am here to please
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Permalink Reply by Jacquelyn on
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Art, I completely agree with you. I myself work for a volunteer department and have seen so many people in the fire service that are there just for the "hero" image. It drives me INSANE the way some people just think they are god's gift to creation because they are a "hero" because they work for a fire department. I am so glad to see that I am not the only one who thinks this way about the issue. Here is to the firefighters that are here because they want to help others and enjoy the adrenaline rush doing it, Thanks! Stay safe out there.
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Permalink Reply by Milo on
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Hero
he⋅ro /ˈhɪəroʊ/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [heer-oh] Show IPA
–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.
5. hero sandwich.
6. the bread or roll used in making a hero sandwich.
There is the definition of a "hero".
Please dont get this wrong but are we not heros by that definition? Do we not set a moral ideal. I for one would want my children to emulate my responsibility and attitude.
I am not advocating being a glory hound in any way shape or form. I do not condone behavior demostrated by arsonists who want to look heroic. I do not feel that anything I do should be taken out of context. I am also just a civically minded person doing my job. The label of "hero" doesnt have to be synonymous with "grandure", but instead should be with "Modesty, Value, Courage, and Responsibility".
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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.
I don't disagree with the "book" definition at all; although, I'd like think that alot of what we do goes well beyond the shallow definition in a dictionary.
Please note the underlined portion of the dictionary definition.
The key to this is that "OTHERS FEEL THAT WAY TOWARDS US".
When one of us has gone above and beyond our call to duty with an extraordinary effort, then we can look at one of ours' and say that they were a hero THAT day.
For the rest of it, I would prefer that "others" state the platitudes.
Any parent that is involved in public service wants to emulate characteristics that their children would want to use as guiding lights for how they conduct their lives. They are similar to "heroic", but I choose not to think of them in those terms. They are honorable, commendable and noteworthy.
How does this sound and this is me talking: What I do is heroic.
Doesn't that sound conceited or at the very least, self-absorbed?
How does this sound and again, it is me talking: Milo; what you do is heroic.
Doesn't it sound and feel better when I say it about you than when I say it about myself?
I think so, but then, I've been accused of being a fuddy duddy.
It lends itself to our quiet honor and humility when we blush with embarrassment at the thought of being labeled a "hero".
I remember after 9/11, our cities wanted to honor ALL firefighters as heroes. I struggled immensely with participating in any of the ceremonies because I believed that the only heroes on 9/11 were buried under the Twin Towers and those who were able to get others out. Reluctantly, I did, but the ceremony couldn't get over fast enough. What I did was help raise money for the families of the fallen brothers and sisters. That was the right thing to do.
Anyway, I hope that this helps in some small way.
TCSS.
Art
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Permalink Reply by Randy Lyon on
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Thanks for starting this topic Art. I have always been a little embarrassed to see my fellow firefighters with all of the hero "crap" on their vehicles and T-shirts. I believe that those people are a little confused about why we are firefighters.
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Permalink Reply by Gabe Alvarez on
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Wheather or not you dont want to be called or labeled a hero, society will ALWAYS refer to us as heros, you nor i have a choice in the matter. Last Year I was honored as firefighter of the year for saving some kids and two moms, people called me a hero and you know what, that was the last thing on my mind, I was so happy that I helped some kids and moms can be with their family that night. The fact of the matter is we are role models and some of us are true heros and dont hate on firefighters that are. Its true people get lost in the limelight and put on the uniform to get girls or guys and to be a stud, those people need to be gone fast! Now in my opinion it is heroic for ANYONE to sacrifice their own life for another,deal with it but let me mention these heros.
in my opinion there isn't many heros, people call movie stars heros for something stupid. The HEROS today are the teachers who work for so so wages, they teach our future of the world,The cafateria workers who feed our children in school, the crossing guards who make sure our children are safe crossing the roads, the school bus drivers who pick them up safely and bring them home. The janitors in the schools so our children can have a clean and safe classroom. last but not least..JESUS who died for the world.
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Gabe,
I believe that some of our brothers have done some very heroic things and could rightly be called heroes. My issue is with the self-proclaimed heroes.
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Permalink Reply by Blake Haun on
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i agree art. i was once given a life saver medal for a succesfull cpr. i cant lie, i took it, but something inside just didnt feel right. im not saying that awards cerimonies are bad or anything. but i just did what im supposed to do. if someone works in construction, they would not recieve a big merit for building a house. no one person alone is a hero, the hero is the entire emergency service, from top to bottom, and we just do what we are supposed to.
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