[MR] RE: Atlantia digest, Vol 1 #347 - 1 msg

[Rupert Gaddy]

Mairi

Thank you so much for your post. I am a former firefighter, and if my health
would allow it would continue to be one.
As has been said over the air waves so many times this week, people that are
not, or who have not been firefighters, simply can not understand the depth
of tragedy (and the anger) that results from those 400 or so deaths in the
minds and hearts of firefighters across the nation, and I might add is also
felt by the families of anyone who has ever had a member who was a
firefighter.  Even the former Special Forces guys we had in the dept said
the firefighters brotherhood is the tightest bond they had ever had.

Firefighters and deep rock miners swap the distinction of having the most
hazardous job in America once every few years.  Much has been written about
the stress of police families, though the stress and risk to firefighters
far exceeds that. Just the chemical hazards that today's firefighter may be
called upon to face, sometime unknowingly, would drive most people far away
from the job. Going inside a burning building is something that is against
all human instinct for survival.  And as you point out the vast majority of
firefighters are volunteers, not paid firefighters, who have to take time
away from work or family to train and to respond to emergencies. My old
department did four hours of training per week, in addition you were
expected to go to the fire academy on your own time to be certified as an
interior structural firefighter, then to certify in Haz Mat, and other
advanced training, and yes we were all unpaid volunteers.

I can only recall three thank yous in over 10 years that were not from
people we had rescued or whose homes we had saved or tried to save. The few
times it did happen simply blew me away. While a few thank yous for what you
do and what you risk won't heal the hurt that every firefighter is feeling
today at the loss of so many brothers, it certainly will go a long way.

Fund raisers, even for departments with tax revenue coming in is always
welcome, and many times will be set aside for helping burned out families,
or for special equipment needed, but not able to be afforded. Many small
departments exist only on donations and subscriptions and any contribution
to them is greatly appreciated, because it may mean the difference in being
able to respond or not being able to respond.  There were times in the early
days of my own department before we became a fire district and got some tax
money, that if we did not fill up the tank with gas out of our own pocket,
the truck might not be able to make it to the next fire.  Now that fire
company operates three stations full of nice equipment and the members are
still unpaid volunteers. They will never be paid, they would rather put the
money towards new equipment and fire prevention activities than put it in
their pockets.

They are not the only ones, but Firefighters are a living embodiment of the
American Spirit, and I applauded your post!

Rupert