Thoughts from the Back Seat

   Thought about this at fire school last month. A guest speaker called firefighters heroes. He was truly respectful of all of us. We appreciate that. That made me think, (not good when I do that, just ask Pam). I remember very recently about an FDNY Firefighter who was being given a “Hero” award. As I recall he had repelled down the side of a high rise building to save an individual who was hanging out a window. He deserved every bit of the recognition, and I certainly am not going to take anything away from his actions. But I thought who all and what all did it take to get that one individual to that point? Before the FDNY Firefighter ever took that first step off the high rise there were dozens, maybe hundreds of individuals who were there with him. His crew mates, instructors, companies that made the ropes and equipment. That firefighter certainly was the one who took the leap of faith, but he didn’t do it alone. 

   If we all think back on our time there are so many who have been involved in our life as a firefighter, long before we became “heroes.” When you decided to join your fire department who was one who said, “why not, go for it, what have you got to lose.” What about the instructors who gave their time and patience to get you through the classes? The older firefighters who probably took you under their wing to show you the ropes. Your family who allowed you to go to fires, meetings, training, all the other functions with only a little bit of grumbling? All the member firefighters in your department? 

   What’s my point in all this rambling? I guess it’s the next time you hear or see someone recognized as a hero, stop for a minute and give a tip of your hat to all those who helped in the process. Again, not to take away anything from anyone, but this isn’t an individual passion, this thing called firefighting, it’s a team passion.

   Before I close, I would like to note that Rapid City Fire Department Battalion Chief Calen Maningis had an article in Fire Engineering recently. BC Maningis talked about the difficulty in locating the fire and the cause. I was on that fire last September and it was one to put in your memory bank. I have read numerous articles about Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing for gas, (CSST) but couldn’t say I’ve seen a fire with it. Thank you, Chief Maningas, for the great lesson I learned. Chief Maningis was also an instructor at this year’s state fire school, if you were in his class, I know you learned a lot. As they say, learn something new every day and pass it on. 

   With that I’m done for this month. 

SDFA Treasurer Denny Gorton