Firefighting: The Legacy

Imagine being sick,  chilled to the bone, haven't slept in 48 hours nor having had anything to eat in 27 hours. Can you? Now imagine on top of that, you run into a burning building that's burning at 6000 degrees  while you have pounds of gear strapped to you and a SCBA on your back. So your probably thinking, "Who in their correct mind would do that?" a fire-fighter would and we do.

Firefighters are those people you hear as a kid who put out fires and rescue people. it's the job that all the little kids want, other then Police Officer, but most of them don't become one. All humans are born equal and few become firefighters. Firefighting is one of the most selfless jobs and careers you could ever do and its one of the most respected..

Standing on the highway, The rain keeps me awake. Some places are just so dark and desperate, its like a living hell. Watching the flames dance around the wrecks of the cars, the bodies that lie half sprawled out of the cars, it really does eat at your soul.

There's a saying that every time you get on the rig (Pumper, Aerial, Ladder) that you never know if your coming back. Its true. Every time I get on that rig, I never know if I am coming back, there are a thousand things that could go wrong. My best friend  and mentor before his death used to tell me, he could imagine people on the sidewalks and streets praying for us every time we go past, because every ride may be our last.

Most people tell us, We could of bowed out, but we don't. I've been asked why I rush in when everyone rushes out? Why, I rush in? One can not give you a easy answer. I rush in because its my job. I also rush in for the thrill and rush you get. You know that rush when the adrenaline kicks in and your heat beats 400 beats a minute? I get that every time I jump off the rig. I rush in because If I don't, who will?

Some of the images you see will never leave you as a firefighter. You could be testing smoke alarms for someone's grandparents, the next call, you could be walking down the highway looking for someone's missing limb.  I still call my mother every night
To tell her not to worry that her son is still coming back tonight.

One of the things that bug me, it doesn't matter that we don't get credit, medals or any reward, but the fact people don't appreciate what we do saddens me. Tell the firefighter that was carrying the old lady from her bedroom where the house is on fire, when he suddenly feels the floor underneath him give-away, tosses her onto the hard floor for his buddy to grab while he falls into the unknown. Tell that to the Stan's family after he fell six floors to his death because the roof caved in when he was attempting to ventilate it. You may not appreciate us, you may sit there and say we are a waste but take a look, Garbage Men make more money then us, but its not about the money. We are at your beck and call when needed and all of us would lay down our lives to save you. That's not heroism, that's part of being a firefighter.

I used to arrive on senses not knowing what was coming. I still don't know what to expect. But could you imagine being shot at when trying to save a shooting victims life? One of my buddies was shot at once. Or imagine rushing into the World Trade Centre knowing at any minute it could come down? That is being part of the Firefighter brotherhood.

Sometimes I swear that I never know if I'm coming home or going, But my mentor and best friend always said something without even knowing ,that I was hanging onto the words with all my might, And yes that I am alright,, I am alright for one more night. If I die before I get back on that rig to go home, I hope I die for someone or die for the greater good. Another saying is "We don't want to die for you, but if dying's asking us, we'll bear that cross".

My advice to anyone who wants to become a firefighter is this: When you become a firefighter, you become part of a great brotherhood and what you see, the good and bad will make you into a man or woman. Firefighting isn't a job where you get you be in the spotlight or make cash, no one who is a firefighter does it for that. The first time you make a grab (Pull someone out of a building or a scene), it, that moment will stay with you and will never leave you. We may not get our names in the paper but most times, you can see it in their eyes of the ones you rescue that you are their hero. We do more then just fight fires, we respond to Medical Emergencies, Conduct Rescue Operations by Land, Sear and Air, Do Fire Prevention and many other stuff. You think its cool when you see a fire engine rush pass you on the road? Wait till your riding in the cab of the rig, it'd be a lot cooler.

Some people would think after reading this, that its not all that good to be a firefighter, but I tell you this, you could pay me any amount of money and offer me any other job and I'd tell you to politely fuck off because once a firefighter, always a firefighter and I'd do it for free. Its one of the jobs that are outside the box and not 9 to 5.

Can you lay your life down so a stranger can live?
Could you close everyday without the glory and fame?
Could you hold your head high when no one knows your name?
Could you risk everything for the chance of being alone or will you come un-done?
We live, we die, cos' you cant save every soul.


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So Others May Live.
- Firefighting Creed

Proud Firefighter