FireGuy Firefighters Hall's blog: ""

Are you and active member, The kind that would be missed? Or are you just contented, That your name is on the list? Do you attend the meetings, And mingle with the flock? Or do you meet in private, And criticize and knock? Do you take an active part, To help the work along? Or are you just satisfied, To be the kind that just belongs? Do you work on committees, To this there is no trick. Or leave the work to just a few, And talk about the clique? So come to meetings often, And help with hand and heart. Don't be just a member, But take an active part. Think this over colleagues, You know what's right from wrong, Are you a valued member, Or do you just belong?

When the firetrucks are delayed 40 seconds in traffic, People say: "It took them 20 minutes to get here." When the firetruck races at 40 mph, it's: "Look at those reckless fools." When four men struggle with an eight man ladder: "They don't even know how to raise a ladder." When firemen open windows for ventilation: "Look at the wrecking crew." When they open the floor to get at a blaze: "There goes the axe squad." If the chief stands back where he can see and direct his men: "He's afraid to go where he sends his men." If they lose a building: "It's a lousy department." If they make a good "stop", folks say: "The fire didn't amount to much." If lots of water is necessary: "They are doing more damage with water than flames." If a fireman gets hurt: "He is a careless guy." If a citizen gets hurt: "It's a crazy department." If a fireman inspects property: "He's meddling in somebody's business." If he wants a fire hazard corrected: "I'll see the mayor." If he gets killed and leaves a family destitute: "That's a chance he took when he joined the fire department."

I have no ambition in this world but one and that is to be a fireman. The position may, in the eyes of some appear to be a lowly one, but we who know the work which a fireman has to do, believe that his is a noble calling. There is a adage which says that nothing is destroyed except by fire. We strive to preserve from destruction the wealth of the world which is the product of the energy of men necessary for the comfort of both the rich and the poor. We are the defenders from fire of the art which has beautified the world, the products of the genius of men and means of refinement of mankind. But, above all, our proudest endeavour is to save lives of men, the work of GOD himself. Under the impulse of such thoughts the nobility of the occupation thrills us and stimulates us to deeds of daring even to the supreme sacrifice. Such considerations may not strike the average mind but they are sufficient to fill to the limit, our ambition in life and to make us serve the general purpose of human society

When I am called to duty, God whenever flames may rage, Give me the strength to save some life Whatever be its age. Help me to embrace a little child Before it’s too late, Or some older person from the horror of that fate. Enable me to be alert And hear the weakest shout, And quickly and efficiently to put the fire out. I want to fill my calling and give the best in me, To guard my neighbor And protect his property. And if according to Your will I have to lose my life, Please bless with Your protecting hand My children and my wife

WHAT IS A FIREMAN He is the guy next door - a man's man with the memory of a little boy. He has never gotten over the excitement of engines and sirens and danger. He is a guy like you and me with wants and worries and unfulfilled dreams. Yet he stands taller than most of us. He is a fireman. He puts it all on the line when the bell rings. A fireman is at once the most fortunate and the least fortunate of men. He is a man who saves lives because he has seen too much death. He is a gentle man because he has seen the awesome power of violence out of control. He is responsive to a child's laughter because his arms have held too many small bodies that will never laugh again. He is a man who appreciates the simple pleasures of life - hot coffee held in numb, unbending fingers - a warm bed for bone and muscle compelled beyond feeling - the camaraderie of brave men - the divine peace and selfless service of a job well done in the name of all men. He doesn't wear buttons or wave flags or shout obscenities. When he marches it is to honor a fallen comrade. He doesn't preach the brotherhood of man. He lives it.

IT'S MY JOB He stares in the face of death without a second thought to save that one special life that he so bravely sought he has walked as close to "Hell On Earth" as any man could do and he's so proud of the job he did for people he never knew He puts his life on the line every time duty calls always doing what needs to be done without even a pause He is a fireman with overwhelming pride never afraid to take a chance when saving someone's life Often he says "It's my job" But we really know that he is very special and always ready to go So when you hear the sirens wail or see the flashing lights stand aside and look with pride He's going to save a life.

Brothers and sisters when you weep for me Remember that it was meant to be Lay me down and when you leave Remember I'll be at your sleeve In every dark and choking hall I'll be there as you slowly crawl On every roof in driving snow I'll hold your coat and you will know In cellars hot with searing heat At windows where a gate you meet In closets where young children hide You know I'll be there at your side The house from which I now respond Is overstaffed with heroes gone Men who answered one last bell Did the job and did it well As firemen we understand That death's a card dealt in our hand A card we hope we never play But one we hold there anyway That card is something we ignore As we crawl accross a weakened floor For we know that we're the only prayer For anyone that might be there So remember as you wipe your tears The joy I knew throughout the years As I did the job I loved to do I pray that thought will see you through

THE CREATION OF A FIREFIGHTER When the Lord was creating Firefighters, he was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said, "You're doing a lot of fiddling around on this one." The Lord said, "Have you read the specification on this person?" A Firefighter has to be able to go for hours or tending to a person that the usual every day person would never touch, while putting in the back of their mind the circumstances. They have to be able to move at a second's notice and not think twice of what they are about to do, no matter what danger. They have to be in top physical condition at all times, running on half-eaten meals, and they must have six pairs of hands." The angel shook her head slowly and said, "Six pairs of hands....no way." "It's not the six pairs of hands that are causing me problems," said the Lord, "It's the three pairs of eyes a Firefighter has to have." "That's on the standard model?" asked the angel. The Lord nodded, "One pair that sees through the fire and where they and their fellow Firefighters should fight the fire next. Another pair here in the side of the head to see their fellow Firefighters and keep them safe. And another pair of eyes in the front so they can look for the victims caught in the fire that need their help. "Lord," said the angel, touching his sleeve, "rest and work on this tomorrow." "I can't," said the Lord, "I already have a model that can carry a 250 pound man down a flight of stairs and to safety from a burning building, and can feed a family of five on a civil service paycheck. The angel circled the model of the Firefighter very slowly,"Can it think?" "You bet," said the Lord," it can tell you the elements of a hundred fires; and can recite procedures in their sleep that are needed to care for a person until they reach the hospital. And all the while they have to keep their wits about themselves. This Firefighter also has phenomenal personal control. They can deal with a scene full of pain and hurt, coaxing a child's mother into letting go of the child so they can care for the child in need. And still they rarely get the recognition for a job well done by anybody, other than from fellow Firefighters." Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the Firefighter. "There's a leak," she pronounced. "Lord. it's a tear." "What's the tear for?" asked the angel. "It's a tear from bottled-up emotions for fallen comrades. A tear for the commitment to that funny peiece of cloth called the American Flag. It's a tear for all the pain and suffering they have encountered. And it's a tear for their commitment to caring for and saving lives of their fellow man!" "What a wonderful feature, Lord, you're a genius," said the angel. The Lord looked somber and said, "I didn't put it there."

I'm laying in the darkness, I cannot fall asleep I wonder where my darling is, I wish he'd call or beep I saw him leave this morning, the black boots on his feet He said he had to run now, and I know he's on the street You'll know him when you see him, his truck is very loud He has no time to stop now, he doesn't want a crowd A caller said "Please hurry!" - Come quickly if you will A young man with a motorbike is laying very still A mother calls in anguish, her child limp and blue HURRY! Come, I need you, I don't know what to do I hear his key turning, he's coming in the door I hear him drop his boots, then footsteps on the floor I hear him in the kitchen, I can tell from his walk He'll soon come and wake me, and ask if we can talk We'll sit out in the moonlight, and listen to the night He talks about a shooting, a streetgang in a fight A car crash, a drowning, a child hurt at play The things he needs to talk about, the things he did today The old, the sick, the injured, some so very small He did all he could to help them, he answered every call Every day he has a mission, he knows it in his heart He does everything he can and always does his part If you are sick or injured and you need to reach my Hon I can tell you how to reach him, his number is......911

A firefighter's pledge I promise concern for others Willingness for all those in need I promise courage - courage to face and conquer my fears Courage to share and endure the ordeal of those who need me I promise strength - strength of heart to bear whatever burdens Might be placed upon me Strength of body to deliver safety All those placed within my care I promise the wisdom to lead, the compassion to comfort And the love to serve unselfishly whenever i am called - unknown author.