It's A Young Man's Job?

Denial is something that we all deal with at one time or another during our lifetime. Sometimes it can be used in a positive way but most times it just puts off the inevitable. At the very least you should use it as a reality check! So where am I going with this? I had one of the more busier and physically demanding shifts at work yesterday than I have had in a few years. I won't go as far to say that I have gotten lazy but it's more like I have reached middle age and gotten out of shape. When I look at the crews that I work with I am the oldest person there 9 out of 10 times. How can this be? I am ONLY 44 years old! I have children that are older than most of the new guys at work. I used to poke fun and crack jokes about the gray haired company officers and wonder how long were they going to stay on the job? When were they going to retire and enjoy what they worked for? As I layed around my house resting today between sessions of icing down my sore hamstring muscle it hit me that I am not that far away from being that gray haired company officer! Where has the time gone? What I do know is that I am not going down without a fight and that there are still plenty of firefighting years left inside this body. I might have aches and pains but that comes with the territory. It might be a Young Man's Job but I will take a seasoned veteran fireman every time! Older guys have a work ethic that isn't taught anymore. Older guys know what to do. Older guys are like bulls and give 150% all the time. Older guys don't complain and get the job done! Older guys NEVER give up!!!

The picture posted here is that of Chief Ray Downey of FDNY. He was the most decorated Fireman in FDNY's history. He died on September 11th, 2001 at the WTC while leading his men in battle. This is the person that all fire company officer's should model themselves after.

First Due...

There's nothing more exhilarating than being First Due to a working fire. You can see the column of black smoke billowing in the distance, you hear the fire dispatcher give updates of receiving multiple calls with people possibly trapped inside. As you arrive you take in the view of the scene and you start processing all the information. You know you must stay focused as you give out orders to your crew. There is so much to do and not enough firemen or time to do it. What are my priorities? What to do first? Where to make entry? When all else fails use RECEO : Rescue, Exposure, Confine, Extinguish & Overhaul. This is a true & tested method for making quick decisions on the fire ground. This is right out of the FDNY handbook. Now it's time to execute! This is where the Company Officer earns his money. This is where his reputation is made. This is when your company makes a difference. This is what FIREMEN live for! This is what we dream about. This is who we are! Fighting Fire and Saving Lives & living the American Dream...

4th of July!

Just wanted to take a moment to honor and give thanks to those who gave their life for this country and to those who are currently serving to protect our freedoms. We have come a long way but where are we heading? We need to get back to the core values that our founding fathers set before us. We need to put God back into America. We need to thank God for all he has done. It is my prayer that the United States of America would once again become a God fearing nation. Pray for our Nation & Support Our Troops!!!