Heroes

 

The dictionary defines heroes as the following: 1. A figure in mythology and legend renowned for great strength, courage, and daring. 2. A man celebrated for special achievements and attributes. It also defines a character in a play or a story, and a sandwich with a variety of fillings, but I will speak about the first two here.

 

The fire service is filled with tales of folks who have showed great strength, courage and daring and folks who have had special achievements and attributes. We often hear of these words being used immediately following a line of duty death.

 

This week we have heard of five such heroes. Three in New Jersey, One in Colorado, and One in Maryland. In the wake and aftermath of September 11, we heard of 343 heroes and then some.

 

My heart aches for each and every person who has suffered losses in all of these tragic cases.

 

My heart also aches and recognizes the families that now have to carry on with this tragic loss. Their lives will never be the same. It certainly takes great strength and courage for them to carry on with this massive void in their lives so they too can be considered heroes.

 

We have many other examples of heroes that are never recognized as such and we should take a minute to think of them as well.

 

 The heroes who have been incident commanders who have made difficult decisions and not sent personnel into harms way because they made judgments based upon the safety of their personnel and risk benefit analysis that there was no gain. We don't honor these people who took great strength of convictions, and courage to make these difficult decisions. In some firehouses around the kitchen tables these men are looked upon as having " no balls" or not "real firefighters". "That safety stuff is all bull^%$&", "He or she doesn't know what is like" "This is the street, that stuff is only good in the book, the book doesn't work out here"

 

Isn't it a shame that we don't recognize these incident commanders who enforce accountability, request and demand status reports and have control of their people at fire scenes as heroes rather than tyrants.

 

I wonder how the families of the folks that work for them feel, knowing they can be out planning summer fun activities rather than planning a funeral for a fallen hero.

 

What about the heroes that serve as training officers that are sticklers for small details. The instructor that no one person really likes because they are relentless in teaching and training the right way and the proper techniques. What about the company officer that really holds a valid drill in the afternoon instead of just filling out the form like they do on the other groups or shifts.

Don't they exhibit courage and strength and take their share of crap from others on the department?

 

Would you say and behave the way you do today, if you were at their funeral?

What would they say if they were at your funeral? What would you want them to say?

 

Think about what I have said.

You do not have to die to become a hero.

Heroes save others from dying.

Know and do you job by the book, everyday with no exceptions.

Be a hero that your family enjoys and is proud of everyday.

Have respect for the heroes that try to save your life before and during each alarm.