Respect For Firemen

[rescuedude]

It's very disheartening in the city sometimes to not be respected for the profession that we do and the lives we protect in our Nation's Capitol!!!

For example just the other day we were out getting ice cream in the area of Capitol Hill after dinner, I know not good for you but a fat fireman is a happy fireman. As we were standing on the corner enjoying our dessert not one person acknowledged us standing there, obviously we were in uniform radios on and standing by the fire truck!!! And on the other extreme while at a fire across the river I came out of the apt. to take off my stuff and take a breather a man walks out of his building says he tips his hat to me for the job we do and thanked me. He then proceeded to go back into his house and brought out bottles of water for myself and crew!!!

It's funny how people don't care about you until they pick up that phone and dial 9-1-1. I'm not asking for free handouts, just a simple nod or "Hi" when you pass us in the streets, that's thanks enough!!!:D

[DotheDew]

Rescue, I just read something on facebook that a brother Fireman from New Jersey posted. I am like you in the fact that I don't want a handout, I don't need to be thanked, but dang it don't forget us either!!! In the year or so following 9-11 we were everything to the General Public. I can vividly recall almost every person saying something to me if I had a Fire Dept T Shirt on, let alone if I was on a Fire Truck.

Time has passed, they have moved on, and it seems that only some remember. Take a look at our City and the way we are treated by the City Council, The Mayor, and most of the citizens. We are no longer the ones that people look up to, we are their scapegoats now!!! It is truly sad.

Anyone with half a brain knows that this comes in cycles. Right or wrong, that is the way it is. The part that hurts, is that it takes a Fireman dying in order for people to open their eyes. With that being said....I am fine with them not remembering. I am fine working without a contract. I am okay with the fact that we don't have any raises coming in the forseeable future. I am fine with that, so long as none of my brothers have to lose their life!!! In the end, it isn't worth that!!

Be Safe,
Shawn

[kenzin]

Rescuedude..I know who you are!! What we've initiated here in Sarasota inspires people to 'recognize' us. It's really quite simple, we 'recognize' them! Our executive staff takes EVERY opportunity to let the community know what we do. We engage the community at the grass roots level and we encourage our fire fighters to take advantage of every oportunity to connect with the people we serve. Little kids LOVE fire fighters. We go out to our stations and remind our crews that every opportunity that we 'pass up' by not talking to every little person is a 'missed chance' to connect! Parents respond extremely well to US talking to, encouraging and recognizing their chiildren. What's interesting is that by talking to a kid, you may somehow influence their life in a positive way. If you make that connection, later on, that same kid may NEED someone outside of their authority circle to talk to...guess who they might choose!! More important, they will remember and they will grow up. The connection may not be evident in our career, but it will make a difference. When our vehicles are idle and kids walk by, our crews are encouraged to 'show off' our shiny trucks and interesting tools. You'd be surprised how many adults are secretly watching, wishing they could be you or learning along with the kids. I've even heard, more than once from an adult, "I didn't know your department was so engaging," or "chief, you guys have a lot of really neat stuff!" Just a thought. Whether they say it, show it or not, the public still loves us. We come when they call, at a time when they are experiencing a crisis that is beyond their ability to resolve and most times, we make it better.

[oldhead]

Well said.

[SATANS CHILD]

if you do this job to get "noticed" or to get "respect" , it might be time to look for a new job

[Tower Goes]

Rescuedede, good post and how true, but we will never get respect until we respect each other. We all bash each other here because we are big city fire men or we work for a suburb outside the city or we don't volunteer at a certain fire dept. bottom line is we bash each other for bullshit, yeah some think it is funny but did anyone ever stop to think if we are reading it who else is reading it.

[Mr. Precision]

Tower don't waste your breath. DCFD is waaaaaaaaaay over rated. Why would the public waste its time with a 2nd rate small city fire dept. full of punks and idiots.

[Pipeman27]

Precision, please identify yourself and your department. If youd like to do it in person, I work Thurs., so stop on by and we can have a lil chat, punk.

[Deuce Engine]

Tower don't waste your breath. DCFD is waaaaaaaaaay over rated. Why would the public waste its time with a 2nd rate small city fire dept. full of punks and idiots.

What's your hard-on for DCFD? (and no, I don't work there) Just read your other posts ... you seem to have more hatred for DCFD than you have pride for your own department.

[TCosgroveJones]

Mr. Precision is just a wanna be fireman. He could never hang in the Big City. Of Course if and when he is ever detailed to Sta 3 again Im sure he won't come and talk to me face to face:eek:

Cosgr:Dve

[Greenshield]

One by one we can identify those whom could not get hired here. Mr. Precision....chalk up one.

[regs1]

Having worked in all sections of the city, I feel that respect for firefighters do exist in each section of the city, and the citizens will show their respect in various ways, I remember while a Lt at E-33, I was at 3900 9th St SE when a person on the third floor threw a pound of butter at the fire truck, standing by an open door, this butter actually hit the inside fire truck crew floor by me, to this day, I cannot figure out how this person knew that we needed a pound of butter for dinner.

However saying this I also remember being at a fire on Valley Ave on very hot day, and a few neighbors of nearby houses came out with cold bottles of water for us to drink.

In NW, I remember a few local persons that would drop off Oysters, crabs, pizzas, cakes, pies, etc off at E-29. I believe these cakes, pies was the cause for the extra pounds I had.

In all cases respect for firefighters came from those who respected themselves, in many cases disrespect that was often receive came from those who had zero respect for themselves.

If you on the receiving end of the disrespect part, just consider the source, and move on.

[Greenshield]

Personally, I prefer the public not speak or acknowledge us. Sure would help make things fun again.

[tthomp]

In 2007 I wrote an article which relates a little to the subject at hand. It was written with EMS in mind, but it can go either way. Here is the link if anyone would like to read it. You can even look further in to it and apply it as citizens or Fire & EMS workers.

http://tinyurl.com/2bl8zsa

Be safe everyone
Tim

[Antozilla]

Respect is earned and DCFD gets the respect it deserves. You guys are good and the public knows it. Sure when you guys are just getting ice cream I think the public just respects your privacy and lets you eat your snack in peace. On the fire scene they see and know what you do.

[hennessy_str8]

It's a everyday thing for the guys at E-23, people speaking to us, taking pic with us and the engine and sometime they even get ice cream for us. The other day a neighbor brought us a lemon cake.

[Brks_R_4_Puz's]

Well, the people over on The Boulevard (MacArther that is!) Loves us at Truck Company 5. We get Treated with Dinners, Cakes, Pies, Lunches and Thanked allday everyday. I feel good whaen I go to work and the citizens actually appreciate the duties we do. Better than stray bullets on Sherman Ave.

[crabby1]

You might want to lighten up on the cakes and pies. It's hard to work off the calories when you are assigned to T-5.

[rescuedude]

Must be the stuck-ups over in Capitol Hill then. . . . . .they certainly treat us well in other parts of the city, as you all are saying. . . .even in good old Trinidad they like the FD!!!

[Lt17]

I spent a little time in Trinidad, during my time there we were shot at, had all kinds of stuff thrown at us, punched, spit on and even Kate shit in her hand one day and tried to throw it at us. (man those were the good ol' days.):rolleyes:

you must work in the new kinder, gentler Trinidad.:eek:

[Brooks]

Over the last 15 minutes, I met a family from
Mexico, a couple from Germany, and a man from Poland. They all wanted a photo in front of T02, and were all fans of the fire dept. So I took pictures, freshened up on my Spanish, talked about the european heat wave, and learned the polish word for fire department, which I can neither pronounce nor spell.

[regs1]

Brooks

Be careful, I know a F/F who married a girl he meet while sitting on the bench at E-1

[NorthSTAR]

Better than stray bullets on Sherman Ave.

Ya sure they were strays? :eek:

[Greenshield]

Ya sure they were strays? :eek:

That's F*d up LOL!:eek:

[pragmatist]

Brakes - You know damn well stray bullets are better than cake and ice cream. You loved every minute we spent there. We had a lot of good years together with the exception of the day you hit the car coming out of the firehouse or when I stopped the engine in the middle of U St. and told you I wasn’t driving you anymore :) With all that said, I think we do get a lot of respect from the people in the city. I too have worked in a lot of sections in the city and personally I think the low income residents give out more respect and appreciate more what we do. Just last tour sitting at Safeway I had a lady come up to me and tell me how much the people at River Terrace "loves us and to keep up the good work". Respect is earned not given.

“Sling me the butter” – Retired BFC

[Brks_R_4_Puz's]

Brakes - We had a lot of good years together with the exception of the day you hit the car coming out of the firehouse or when I stopped the engine in the middle of U St. and told you I wasn’t driving you anymore :)

Damn you remeber that.......... And it was only a Tap of a front bumper (No Damage). :D

“Sling me the butter” – Retired BFC

I remember that day too, and you really did that and to this day I still LMAO! Cowboy:D Yes I did have fun with ALL you guys on Sherman Ave.

[DotheDew]

I know that story Brakes!!! A good one to say the least. Life lessons learned!!!