The article "Pride and Ownership" by Rick Lasky
was a very uplifting and good reminder of what firefighting is all about.
Throughout the entire article he ingrained the question, "why did you get
into it?" This question really got to me, because unlike most firefighters
I didn't have any family members in the fire service. The reason I joined the
fire department was because my friend’s house caught on fire when I was younger
and I watched as the firefighters ran inside and put the fire out. From that
day on I dreamt of one day being that guy to save someone’s house.
When I first joined the department I had no idea what I was getting
into, but everyone at the department embraced me and answered all my questions.
When taking a class it was taught by people in the department and they didn’t
just read words on the PowerPoint they made an effort to teach us all the
secrets they had learned along the way.
When the tone goes out whether it is to lend a helping hand
to put an old lady back in her chair or if it is a house fire with victims
still inside, our reaction is the same. Every time I put my gear on the truck I
think about all the men and women before me who put their turnouts in the same
spot and it makes me proud to be a part of something so awesome.
The reason why I joined the fire department has changed from
being a hero to now being part of an incredible family.
Good comments Eric. I'm glad that Lasky was able to make you reflect on your own career in Emergency Services and I appreciate your words and your service to the community you serve. I like your comments about training and how your co-workers share their knowledge freely. That's our responsibility to each other in Emergency Services, to give and be selfless. It's not about me, it's about the people we've been given the responsibility to take care of. That's a big order to fill and I look forward to working with you this semester and hope that this class will make you a great Company Officer in the future. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteBrian