This question is
asked all the time to our firefighters.
The answers you will receive
are far and wide; it’s a calling, it’s a
family tradition, I’ve always wanted to
be one, it’s my job, or I feel it is my
duty to help my community. These
are some of the reasons why a modern
firefighter wants to be a firefighter.
But are we different from out predecessors
from over ninety-five years
ago? One of the most famous quotes
from this time in our history is from Chief
Edward F. Croker of the Fire Department
of New York. Chief Croker stated:
“I have no ambition in this world
but one, and that is to be a firefighter.
The position may, in the eyes of
some, appear to be a lowly one; but
we who know the work which the
firefighter has to do believe that his
is a noble calling. There is an adage
which says that, “Nothing can be destroyed
except by fire.” We strive to
preserve from destruction the wealth
of the world which is the product of
the industry of men, necessary for the
comfort of both the rich and the poor.
We are defenders from fires of the art
which has beautified the world, the
product of the genius of men and the
means of refinement of mankind. But,
above all, our proudest endeavor is
to save lives of men-the work of God
Himself. Under the impulse of such
thoughts, the nobility of the occupation
thrills us and stimulates us to
deeds of daring, even at the supreme
sacrifice. Such considerations may not
strike the average mind, but they are
sufficient to fill to the limit our ambition
in life and to make us serve the
general purpose of human society.”
- Chief Edward F. Croker, FDNY, circa
1910
So to answer the question why
do you want to be a firefighter when
compared to our predecessors the
reasons have not changed. It may be
the child that visits the firestation to
see the fire trucks or the child that witnesses
a family member or neighbor
race out of the house at all hours to
answer a fire call that plants the seed
to become a firefighter. That seed may
later be harvested when as a young
adult, this child joins the Explorer Program
at age 14 or at age 18 joins the
department as a firefighter. All their
lives they just want to be a firefighter.
They want to be able to respond
and help their community. They want
to be able to help protect the property
of everyone; it does not matter
that persons social status because
we are there to serve the community
and protect all of its property.
We don’t plan on saving a person’s
life but occasionally we do or
we help a person and make their
life a little better. On occasion a
firefighter gives the ultimate sacrifice
to protect a person by giving
their life to allow that person to live.
So if you want to be a firefighter and
fulfill that lifetime desire stop by and fill
out an application or go on line to www.barnardfire.org and download it. We
are always looking for new members.
If you’re still not sure give me or
the president a call (585)-663-1113
and we would gladly sit down with
you and explain what is required to be
a volunteer firefighter. |
