Service Matters

It’s Not Easy…

Being a volunteer in a first responder/firefighter situation is not easy and it is hard to come away from those traumatic scenarios that come about and not be changed in some sort of way. Some guys take in the experience and learn and grow from the challenges faced and hopefully overcome them. Almost stealing from it a nugget of life-changing wisdom.

Then There Are The Others…

I’m not going to put any arbitrary numbers out there but there will be some that come away crushed. The feeling of a lifeless body in your hands is one that most people won’t ever experience. Along with the feeling of helplessness that comes with it, there is an equal sense of remorse.

When those feelings are not dealt with and or talked about in a constructive manner they can grow on a person and take over their mind and eventually their lives. Most of the time not talking about things is the result of a mentality that wrongly assumes men shouldn’t share their feelings or show emotion. Nothing could be further from the truth. As humans, keeping our stronger emotions bottled up eats away at your conscience over time.

As people that signed up to help people, we want to save everyone but time and time again, God proves that we mere mortals are incapable of that very thing. But take heart that the work we do is not in vain. There are people that see what we do and are exceedingly glad that there are people that will put life and limb on the line for others. Just hearing about our actions may spark something in another person to do something for someone else. We set an example for what service to others is all about.

Being involved in this service is much more than you may think it is. It is definitely cool to be able to operate different kinds of vehicles and equipment but it is so much more. Children look at us , and even some adults, in awe. Sometimes just being there for someone is saving their life or at the least changing it. There is an aspect of bravery and strength that comes along with the job. So taking the job and the situations that come with it seriously is very important. Important for your safety and the departments. Important to those you are serving. Training and experience help with everything and the more you get of both the better off everyone involved will be.

So, in conclusion, the things we do on every call matters. The way we train matters. The frequency matters. Debriefing after a hard call matters. You matter. The work we do matters.

Never take anything we do for granted, and never be afraid to reach out to someone in the department that has more experience and can help you out. There are counselors out there that are willing to help and talk as well. Don’t ever be too proud to ask for help. I’ll leave you with some verses that have helped me out in difficult times. God bless.

Psalm 34:4-8  I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.