Does anyone else enjoy "Cops" as much as I do? Perhaps it's the warm, fuzzy feeling I get inside from knowing the bad guys always get locked up at the end, or maybe just the sheer, voyeuristic fun of watching crackheads get Tasered. Either way, I never pass up an opportunity to watch the boys in blue in action.
Without fail, there's always a shirtless guy smoking a cigarette who insists he does NOT have any drugs on him....that he knows about. Then the cops FIND the drugs. Then he insists those CAN'T be his drugs, the police must have planted them in his pocket...happens to you and I all the time, right?
So without getting preachy, I'd like to express part of my worldview; call it the Vollie's unified theory of awesomeness. Namely, this: don't end up on Cops.
Easy, right? I'm going to go out on a limb and assume that most of you out there in internet land have never been in jail, let alone on the hit TV show. Most of us have never done meth, beat our wives in a drunken rampage, or ripped off our shirts so we could fight the guy with a Taser. However....have you ever had a beer or three too many and figured you were fine to drive home? Said something stupid, offensive, and loud while you were out with your buddies? The issue we, as firefighters, run into is this: we are not civilians. Once you join a fire department, especially as a volunteer, you are now living the life of a public safety professional. When you cut off someone at an intersection while in your POV with blue lights and scanner antennas all over it, you're not Average Joe A-hole any more...you are a Class A, A-hole FIREFIGHTER. Whether you realize it or not, everything you do can, and just might turn into, a public liability. When you throw that FD t-shirt on, you become someone that the public should respect; you are now representing your department, your town, and the fire service in general.
The public used to admire the fire service. The firehouse used to be the hub of activity in small towns all over this country of ours. Ever wonder why it's not anymore? This is why....
Ex Volunteer Arrested On Child Porn Charges
And this....
Volunteer Firefighter Arrested For DUI
And this...
Firefighter Arrested For Arson
Notice anything about that first headline? "Ex-volunteer".....even after you leave your department, your identity is tied up with the fire service. And there is nothing that ruins our image in the public eye better than incidents like the headlines above.
So take pride in your department, your position, and most of all, in yourselves!! Think twice before getting behind the wheel after a few drinks. Think three times before driving like a moron in your truck with the "FD" decals all over it. Remember, we are special; we are held to a higher standard, and represent something much greater than ourselves. Go forth and celebrate life, but always, ALWAYS remember you are a firefighter. Oh, and also....don't end up on Cops :)
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Loss and a lesson
http://www.firefighterclosecalls.com/news/fullstory/newsid/138955
Indiana Firefighter Killed
Before saying anything at all, I want to express my sorrow and sympathy with the family of the Indiana firefighter killed in the Line of Duty today, and say that my heart goes out to the Muncie Fire Department.
As firefighters, we are all aware of the fact that we place our lives on the line every time that apparatus bay door rolls up. We hear the stories, we watch the news, and every time we see another headline about a downed firefighter, we whisper a thankful prayer that it wasn't us. But in all reality, all too often we maintain that "hero" mentality; the subconscious voice telling us that, yes, 87 firefighters were killed last year, and 93 were killed the year before that. But it can't happen to me, right? After all, this isn't Backdraft, right? I work in a small, suburban department...people don't get killed in my town....
Any soldier will tell you that the military has a catch phrase; "Complacency kills". The fire service is no different. We occasionally forget to wear our gloves at accident scenes, don't bother with an SCBA mask for CO calls, and sometimes don't wear our seatbelts. I'm guilty of it on occasion, as are most people I know. However...the fact remains that yes indeed; Complacency. Does. Kill.
The story linked to above (you can find more details here) is a reminder, one of dozens throughout the year, that no matter how many times we return from a call, crack open a cold one, and turn on the TV, all it takes is one wrong call, one missed step, one second of distraction to change, or worse, end, our lives.
Firefighter Close Calls is a site that tracks emergency services Line of Duty deaths from across the country. The statistics are sobering, to say the least. Many of these deaths and injuries are unavoidable: the bottom line remains, fighting fire is a dangerous occupation. But many of these accidents CAN be avoided. Many are caused by a lack of paying attention, whether on the training ground or at a scene. Many are caused by caused by circumstances which are NOT out of our control, and each one of these deaths is a tragedy beyond words.
I'm not sure where this post is heading, besides an urgent, heartfelt reminder to my brother and sister responders out there: BE CAREFUL! Pay attention at drills, because the skills you learn could save your life. Be aware at each and every call; whether it's a simple medical or a ripping structure fire. Wear your proper PPE for every single smoke alarm call, because you never know when it'll be the real deal. Remember to kiss your wives and kids goodnight before leaving for that routine assignment.
NEVER. BECOME. COMPLACENT.
We can save our families the heartache of losing the one they love. We can save ourselves from making a mistake that will cost the world another firefighter. Remember, it's always better to be an old, cranky retiree, than to be a young, dead hero. Keep your cool, focus on the job, and stay safe out there, folks!
Indiana Firefighter Killed
Before saying anything at all, I want to express my sorrow and sympathy with the family of the Indiana firefighter killed in the Line of Duty today, and say that my heart goes out to the Muncie Fire Department.
As firefighters, we are all aware of the fact that we place our lives on the line every time that apparatus bay door rolls up. We hear the stories, we watch the news, and every time we see another headline about a downed firefighter, we whisper a thankful prayer that it wasn't us. But in all reality, all too often we maintain that "hero" mentality; the subconscious voice telling us that, yes, 87 firefighters were killed last year, and 93 were killed the year before that. But it can't happen to me, right? After all, this isn't Backdraft, right? I work in a small, suburban department...people don't get killed in my town....
Any soldier will tell you that the military has a catch phrase; "Complacency kills". The fire service is no different. We occasionally forget to wear our gloves at accident scenes, don't bother with an SCBA mask for CO calls, and sometimes don't wear our seatbelts. I'm guilty of it on occasion, as are most people I know. However...the fact remains that yes indeed; Complacency. Does. Kill.
The story linked to above (you can find more details here) is a reminder, one of dozens throughout the year, that no matter how many times we return from a call, crack open a cold one, and turn on the TV, all it takes is one wrong call, one missed step, one second of distraction to change, or worse, end, our lives.
Firefighter Close Calls is a site that tracks emergency services Line of Duty deaths from across the country. The statistics are sobering, to say the least. Many of these deaths and injuries are unavoidable: the bottom line remains, fighting fire is a dangerous occupation. But many of these accidents CAN be avoided. Many are caused by a lack of paying attention, whether on the training ground or at a scene. Many are caused by caused by circumstances which are NOT out of our control, and each one of these deaths is a tragedy beyond words.
I'm not sure where this post is heading, besides an urgent, heartfelt reminder to my brother and sister responders out there: BE CAREFUL! Pay attention at drills, because the skills you learn could save your life. Be aware at each and every call; whether it's a simple medical or a ripping structure fire. Wear your proper PPE for every single smoke alarm call, because you never know when it'll be the real deal. Remember to kiss your wives and kids goodnight before leaving for that routine assignment.
NEVER. BECOME. COMPLACENT.
We can save our families the heartache of losing the one they love. We can save ourselves from making a mistake that will cost the world another firefighter. Remember, it's always better to be an old, cranky retiree, than to be a young, dead hero. Keep your cool, focus on the job, and stay safe out there, folks!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Restoring the lost art of Manliness
Perusing the website and finding myself more fascinated with each click, I began to think of how watered down our modern society's idea of "manliness" is. All too often, Hollywood and television portray a false perception of what a true man is; bulging muscles, trendy t-shirts, and flagrant profanity towards all who offend him. We've lost sight of what truly defines manhood, which the site describes as "Style, articulation, and intelligence". I could not agree more. When I think of the most "manly" examples in the fire service, I think of a true firefighter; someone who can crack a solid core door open with a Haligan in 3 seconds flat, but who is also the loving father of several kids who want to grow up to be just like him. You know the type; the ones who open doors for ladies, are the life of every party, and can hold a reasoned discourse on the benefits of initial fire attack with a deuce and a half vs. multiple smaller handlines for hours.
So here's my challenge, men- be an example, not just in the firehouse, but in your daily lives. Look good in a suit. Learn to shave with a straight razor. Discover the difference between a single malt and a blended Scotch. Grow a mustache. Study Aristotle's treatise on reasoned debate. Live long, live well, and live like a man's man!
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Brothers and sisters
It's Memorial Day, 2011. As I stand with my fellow firefighters enduring a drizzling rain that only amplifies the humidity clouding the air, I struggle to focus on the inspirational words of the speaker at the memorial service. A police lieutenant in town, he's speaking about his military service, and how the men and women he served with became the family that he never had in his youth. Lined up to my right are the proud lines of a National Guard troop, their camouflage ranks serving as a reminder of why, exactly, we celebrate Memorial Day; to remember those who we've lost. As the sun comes out, and the heat intensifies, and the lieutenant's voice chokes with emotion, my eye is caught by a young soldier falling out of rank. She stumbles briefly, hands covering her face, and I realize she can't be older than 19 or 20. Her sergeant quickly places him arm around her and escorts her to a bench; I can't for the life of me figure out if the soldier is overcome by grief, the memorial speaker's words recalling some personal tragedy of her own? Perhaps she's ill; perhaps it's only the heat...
As the young soldier sits on the bench, cradling her head in her hands, I see something that I will remember for years to come; something that makes me proud to be a fireman. Three of my fellow brothers, sweltering in their dress blues, share a glance, and on some unspoken cue, move as one to the soldier's side. One helps her with a bottle of water; one takes a pulse to make sure she's calmed down, and one simply sits next to her with his arm around her shoulders, leaning close to whisper, "It's ok. We're with you. It's ok..." I feel my throat tighten as I watch the tableau before me; my brother firefighters comforting a sister soldier, their simple presence assuring her that it IS ok, that we ARE with her, that she is not alone.
As I stand with my fellow firefighters for the remainder of the memorial service, I forget the heat staining my department polo with sweat. I realize with a startling glimpse that I had completely undone my misconceptions of the Memorial Day holiday. I realized with a flash of (rare) mental acuity that the reason I was there,the reason that all my fellow firefighters, police officers, and soldiers were there was twofold. First; to honor, respect, and remember the lives that have been lost defending our precious country. But second, and perhaps most important, to honor those who remain. To stand as one with our fellows in the armed forces, and to let them know that while they serve to protect us abroad, we serve to protect them at home. That while they defend us with their lives, in whatever god forsaken desert or mountains they are in, that they can can rest easy at night knowing we've got their back; that their homes and families are safe with us.
So here's the inspiration I realized on that hot, humid Memorial Day; my message to every civilian out there; remember those who still serve. Hug a cop; buy a firefighter's coffee; send a soldier a card. Because whether hauling an M-16 through the hills of Afghanistan, or hauling a deuce and a half hose through the front door of a burning structure, we are all one. We are all brothers and sisters. And to all the men and women in the armed forces, I tell you this; sleep easy wherever you are, my friends....we ARE with you. You are NOT alone.
As the young soldier sits on the bench, cradling her head in her hands, I see something that I will remember for years to come; something that makes me proud to be a fireman. Three of my fellow brothers, sweltering in their dress blues, share a glance, and on some unspoken cue, move as one to the soldier's side. One helps her with a bottle of water; one takes a pulse to make sure she's calmed down, and one simply sits next to her with his arm around her shoulders, leaning close to whisper, "It's ok. We're with you. It's ok..." I feel my throat tighten as I watch the tableau before me; my brother firefighters comforting a sister soldier, their simple presence assuring her that it IS ok, that we ARE with her, that she is not alone.
As I stand with my fellow firefighters for the remainder of the memorial service, I forget the heat staining my department polo with sweat. I realize with a startling glimpse that I had completely undone my misconceptions of the Memorial Day holiday. I realized with a flash of (rare) mental acuity that the reason I was there,the reason that all my fellow firefighters, police officers, and soldiers were there was twofold. First; to honor, respect, and remember the lives that have been lost defending our precious country. But second, and perhaps most important, to honor those who remain. To stand as one with our fellows in the armed forces, and to let them know that while they serve to protect us abroad, we serve to protect them at home. That while they defend us with their lives, in whatever god forsaken desert or mountains they are in, that they can can rest easy at night knowing we've got their back; that their homes and families are safe with us.
So here's the inspiration I realized on that hot, humid Memorial Day; my message to every civilian out there; remember those who still serve. Hug a cop; buy a firefighter's coffee; send a soldier a card. Because whether hauling an M-16 through the hills of Afghanistan, or hauling a deuce and a half hose through the front door of a burning structure, we are all one. We are all brothers and sisters. And to all the men and women in the armed forces, I tell you this; sleep easy wherever you are, my friends....we ARE with you. You are NOT alone.
The first of many.....
Everyone has a blog. Why should you read mine? Hmmm....well, here's what I can offer. I'm a 5 year firefighter in a small, but active volunteer fire company in the eastern side of CT. The title of the blog, "Jolly Vollie" reflects my personal viewpoint that no matter what, there is a bright side in any situation. Fire departments can often get mired in department politics and infighting; however, I like to show that the fire community in general is one of the most fun, engaging environments you'll ever find. I'll try to share links of interest, stories from across the firefighting community, and general musings on life. So whether I manage to update this 5 times a day, or once a month, I hope you enjoy it, share it, and get a glimpse into the real life of a volunteer firefighter. Cheers!
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