I've been seeing some non firefighters join the Nation recently and was wondering what members thought of removing anyone who is not currently, never has been or is not trying to enter the fire/EMS service from being a part of the site?
I've left things fairly open until now, but want to be sure we stay focused on serving firefighters, EMS and Rescue personnel first and only!
Also any thoughts on restricting videos to be 'fire/EMS related' only, or should it be open to everyone's personal videos, etc. since that also is a big part of social networking?
I have no thought or plan to change photos...because it is a social network I think its important that photos be of both a personal and fire service nature, without too many limits unless its inappropriate. Same goes for blogs, although we may start separating fire/EMS specific blogs from personal ones on the home page.
And on behalf of ALL my brothers and sisters in the fire service... THANK YOU VERY MUCH for you and yours kind support.
Thirty four is no where NEAR too old to begin... You might have some personal issues yourself when told to do something by a 24 year old Captain who has eaten fire engine exhaust since s/he could walk... but thats for you to decide.
To put it in perspective for you, Victor Isler joined the Salisbury Fire Department a year ago at age 38/39 because FDNY would not take him because their cut off age is 29. He came to the City here after working/surviving 9/11/01 and had it in his heart he wanted to fight fire and all it entails. If your spirit is half of his, you will do fine Ma'am.
I say Welcome to the Nation.... May you be with us a long time....
I think it is great that you take food to the local fire house, and I am sure that it's much appreciated.
But: If it's a volunteer department, I am sure that they would rather have new members! I think 34 is a perfect age to join. We just had two new members join who are in their early 50s. Shoot, I wish I was 34 again!
Next time you go drop off that food, pick up an application, fill it out and join up. I am sure you won't regret it.
sheesh....no one brings food to MY firehouse....unless it's me doing the cooking and bringing. I'd love to put my pots and pans on vacation if there's any chance she lives in NY. :)
Hey, I just joined 2 1/2 months ago (I can't believe it's been almost 3 months....it feels like yesterday) and I'm no spring chicken (43) --I think as long as you're committed to the amount of time required and you're able bodied? The sky is the limit.
MY HUSBAND AND I VISIT OUR LOCAL FIREHOUSE BI WEEKLY AND TAKE FOOD AND OTHER STUFF THAT IS NEEDED I GUESS THATS OKAY FOR US TO SPEND OUR MONEY TO SHOW OUR SUPPORT AND APPRECIATION FOR WHAT FIRE PERSONNEL DO FOR US FOR WHICH WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL, WE GIVE AND PARTICIPATE IN FUNDRAISERS FOR SOMEONE WHO IS EITHER A FAMILY MEMBER, A BROTHER OR A FRIEND OF A FRIEND, OR A NEIGHBOR WHO HAS CANCER OR SOME OTHER ILLINESS OR WHO HAS SUFFERED A TRAGEDY AND WITHOUT QUESTION WE ARE THERE! I HAVE MADE SOME INCREDIBLE FRIENDS ON THIS SITE I LOVE YOU GUYS! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND RESPECT YOU HAVE GIVEN ME! WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO THE BROTHERS AND SISTERS GOING TO THE LOCAL IRISH BAR TO SOCIALIZE? ONE OF THE BROTHERS AT OUR LOCAL FIREHOUSE RECOMMENDED THIS SITE TO US AND I SEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND YOU GUYS, HE KNEW I WAS THINKING ABOUT TAKING FIRE SCIENCE TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE FIRE/EMS SERVICE. MY ONLY CONCERN WAS THAT I AM THIRTY FOUR YEARS OLDAND DIDN'T KNOW IF THAT WAS TOO OLD TO START THIS CAREER PATH SINCE I HAVE CONTRACTED WHAT I CALL "FIRE FEVER". I AM CURRENTLY A CIVILLIAN AND THIS WHOLE NEGATIVITY FROM SOME MEMBERS HAS ME REALLY QUESTIONING THE INTERGRITY OF SOME FIRE PERSONNEL SINCE ALL OF YOU STATE YOUR REASON FOR GOING INTO FIRE/EMS SERVICES IS ‘WE WANT TO HELP PEOPLE', SOME HAVE WRITTEN THAT CIVILLIANS DON'T APPRECIATE THEM OR REMEMBER WHAT SCARIFICES THEY MAKE FOR US SINCE 9/11. ALL OF US ARE PEOPLE AND WE ALL NEED TO VENT, LAUGH, AND CRY ON SOMEONE'S SHOULDER WHEN THE OCCASSION CALLS FOR WHATEVER KIND OF SUPPORT YOU NEED AT THAT TIME. CIVILLIANS HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAGEDIES IN THEIR LIVES ALSO AND HAVE LOSS FAMILY MEMBER, FRIENDS, ETC. THIS CIVILLAN DOESN'T APPRECIATE BEING REFERRED TO AS TRASH, GARBAGE OR MUCK! ALL OF YOU ARE SUPPOSE TO BE OUR HEROS TO BE LOOKED UP TO WELL I HAVE READ SOME PRETTY NON HERO STUFF ON THIS SITE, SOME OF YOU SOUND LIKE YOU ARE SUFFERING FROM A GOD, EGO, INSECURITY COMPLEX. THERE ARE CIVILLIANS WHO COME TO THIS SITE TO GET INORMATION ON THE PROFESSION NOT TO FIND SOMEONE I WOULD THINK YOU COULD TELL BY THE PICTURES POSTED ON PROFILES WHO IS A MEMBER ON THIS SITE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING OR SOMEONE. THE MEMBERS WHO ARE SO NEGATIVE JUST REMEMBER RESPECT IS EARNED!
Just keep monitoring like you have been if you see something getting out of hand, then by all means speak up. As far as this being a place to meet and date people they have web sites for those folks. Just my thoughts
I think I'm holding up reasonably well....except for the failing eyesight, and the gray hair, and the wrinkles and the bum knees, and the creeping deafness....other than that I'm the hottest 43 year old I know....lmao.....
Permalink Reply by Don on March 14, 2008 at 11:07pm
This is a tough one, as a volunteer for the past 11 years, but only on Firefighter Nation a few days, I was am surprised by some of the comments I have seen on this subject. The public has always supported firefighters/ems personel. We are the last heroes to many people. I do not want to see this site become a "myspace" where anything goes, but as long as everyone keeps it Emerceny Services related let them join in and see why we love what we do. The biggest joy I have in the fire service is when I see someones eyes open and see what I see, a new person that wants to be apart of something that is real and a brotherhood that lasts forever. The people on the street are what make us what we are, lets keep their respect and choose our words wisely.
Don:
I couldn't agree more, which is why I say, gauge what your locals are saying about you and your department. That is where you will see the feedback.
Not here. That's why it shouldn't matter what someone in Cali is saying about local fire departments.
I want to hear what local fire departments are saying about local fire departments.
There is a place for everything but not here.
This should be for us.
TCSS.
Art