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As a volunteer firefighter, I stand with my peers in Texas, Boston and beyond As a volunteer firefighter, I stand with my peers in Texas, Boston and beyond
(5 months later)
This has been a long and tragic week in the emergency services community in the United States. We witnessed the tragedy of the Boston bombings on Monday afternoon and the heroism of the firefighters, police officers, and everyday citizens who rushed toward the blast scene to help those who had been injured. In many cases, they did this with the knowledge that secondary blasts were a possibility and placed their lives in danger to help others.This has been a long and tragic week in the emergency services community in the United States. We witnessed the tragedy of the Boston bombings on Monday afternoon and the heroism of the firefighters, police officers, and everyday citizens who rushed toward the blast scene to help those who had been injured. In many cases, they did this with the knowledge that secondary blasts were a possibility and placed their lives in danger to help others.
The same spirit is active in the town of West, Texas where the volunteer fire department answered a call for a fire at the West Fertilizer Co on Wednesday. People who normally work as auto mechanics or barbers or teachers or lawyers or myriad jobs drop what they are doing to respond to an emergency and serve their community. Initial reports from the scene indicate that several of those volunteers may have paid for that commitment to their community with their lives.The same spirit is active in the town of West, Texas where the volunteer fire department answered a call for a fire at the West Fertilizer Co on Wednesday. People who normally work as auto mechanics or barbers or teachers or lawyers or myriad jobs drop what they are doing to respond to an emergency and serve their community. Initial reports from the scene indicate that several of those volunteers may have paid for that commitment to their community with their lives.
The volunteer fire service has a strong tradition in the United States. According to the National Volunteer Fire Council, 69% of the firefighters in the US are volunteers (pdf). Estimates have placed the value of these volunteer contributions in the range of $130bn per year. In many smaller communities, the fire department is a social organization as well as emergency response entity. Entire families may have a tradition of volunteerism which stretch back generations. Grandfathers and fathers and sons have been known to respond to the same emergency to assist those in need. This legacy of service has been one of the primary methods of recruitment for many years.The volunteer fire service has a strong tradition in the United States. According to the National Volunteer Fire Council, 69% of the firefighters in the US are volunteers (pdf). Estimates have placed the value of these volunteer contributions in the range of $130bn per year. In many smaller communities, the fire department is a social organization as well as emergency response entity. Entire families may have a tradition of volunteerism which stretch back generations. Grandfathers and fathers and sons have been known to respond to the same emergency to assist those in need. This legacy of service has been one of the primary methods of recruitment for many years.
While volunteerism is still strong in some portions of the country, there has been an overall decrease of 18% (pdf)in the volunteer ranks since 1984. Some challenges to recruiting new volunteers are increased requirements for initial and ongoing training and an increased demand for services. Fiscal constraints have also limited the level of support that was once available from local governments for emergency services. In some communities, this has resulted in an additional burden on the fire department to raise their own funds by conducting food sales or carnivals. These types of events tax the resources of the volunteer's time, as opposed to a tax levied by the government. These changes have resulted in some delivery model adaptations to include a combination of career staff augmented by volunteers or, in some cases, a regional combination of assets.While volunteerism is still strong in some portions of the country, there has been an overall decrease of 18% (pdf)in the volunteer ranks since 1984. Some challenges to recruiting new volunteers are increased requirements for initial and ongoing training and an increased demand for services. Fiscal constraints have also limited the level of support that was once available from local governments for emergency services. In some communities, this has resulted in an additional burden on the fire department to raise their own funds by conducting food sales or carnivals. These types of events tax the resources of the volunteer's time, as opposed to a tax levied by the government. These changes have resulted in some delivery model adaptations to include a combination of career staff augmented by volunteers or, in some cases, a regional combination of assets.
Being a volunteer emergency service provider can be very fulfilling. I joined a volunteer fire company as soon as I was old enough, in 1993. I have responded to hundreds of calls for service since then. Most of them have been minor, a few have been major, but all shared the characteristic of somebody needing help and knowing that whatever the request or circumstances, the local fire department would be there to help. I still volunteer because I think that my contributions are still making a positive impact in my community, and I hope that sense continues as I get older.Being a volunteer emergency service provider can be very fulfilling. I joined a volunteer fire company as soon as I was old enough, in 1993. I have responded to hundreds of calls for service since then. Most of them have been minor, a few have been major, but all shared the characteristic of somebody needing help and knowing that whatever the request or circumstances, the local fire department would be there to help. I still volunteer because I think that my contributions are still making a positive impact in my community, and I hope that sense continues as I get older.
While we attempt to recruit younger people as the current volunteer base ages, we tend to focus on the gratification you can get from knowing that your presence has helped to ease the pain on a terrible day in the life of those you are serving. You won't be able to save a life every day, but you may be able to save, for example, the treasured photographs of loved one from a fire.While we attempt to recruit younger people as the current volunteer base ages, we tend to focus on the gratification you can get from knowing that your presence has helped to ease the pain on a terrible day in the life of those you are serving. You won't be able to save a life every day, but you may be able to save, for example, the treasured photographs of loved one from a fire.
These types of contributions may help make that horrible day just a little more bearable for those affected; we often receive "thank you" notes from those who appreciate that small consideration that was given which resulted in a modicum of relief.These types of contributions may help make that horrible day just a little more bearable for those affected; we often receive "thank you" notes from those who appreciate that small consideration that was given which resulted in a modicum of relief.
Many describe the fire and emergency services as a brotherhood or sisterhood. We may be geographically disparate, but we share many of the same experiences. Because of that bond, we share the pain of those in West Texas who may be lost or injured. To them, we extend our support and our thoughts in this challenging time for their community.Many describe the fire and emergency services as a brotherhood or sisterhood. We may be geographically disparate, but we share many of the same experiences. Because of that bond, we share the pain of those in West Texas who may be lost or injured. To them, we extend our support and our thoughts in this challenging time for their community.
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