You wake up in the middle of the night to the smell of burning wood. Step out of your bedroom to see the end of the hallway, engulfed in flame. You remember the candle you left flickering in the living room. The fear, the panic as you begin to cough in the smoke filled air. As you start to ponder your fate, a man comes rushing through the flames, to then carry you to safety. Firefighters all around the world, save lives like this everyday. Fire fighting, fire prevention, it is their duty to ensure safety. From everyday fires, to natural disasters, fire fighters are heroes. Heroes who walk amongst us in the streets, everyday, humbly, sometimes not even noticed. However it seems as if not all people appreciate firefighters for what they do. All over the country, fire departments are diminishing, even being shut down. Not only is this showing a lack of care for firefighters, but a lack of care for safety. The safety of our homes, schools, businesses, our families and ourselves. Think back to the scenario you just read, think about what would happen if nobody came through the flames to carry you off to safety. 

        In the early eighteenth century, Benjamin Franklin took a visit to Boston, Massachusetts. He had taken into account that the inhabitants of this city were far better prepared to fight fires that those in his home city of Philadelphia. (UShistory.org) According to Franklin, in Philadelphia, when there was a fire, men of all ages and professions joined together in efforts to conquer the flame. “Goodwill and amateur firefighters were not enough, though. Franklin suggested a ‘Club or Society of active Men belonging to each Fire Engine; whose Business is to attend all Fires with it whenever they happen.’” (UShistory.org) Franklin went on to create the Union Fire Company, a group of about thirty men who met regularly and fought to prevent and extinguish fires. Although Franklin’s company was a volunteer company, it set a precedent for the importance of firefighters. It showed that through training and organization men were much better equipped to fight fires, and the people of the city were much safer because of it.

        I do not mean in any way to discredit volunteer firefighters. Any man or woman who is willing to run into a fire to save others is a hero. However, it goes back to Benjamin Franklin’s creation of the Union Fire Company in Philadelphia. The more training and organization there is, the more prepared firefighters will be. In New York State, Career Firefighters are required 13 weeks of fire school whereas volunteer firefighters are only required a basic forty hour course. (NYS Firefighter) This creates a large gap in the capabilities of the career firefighters and the volunteers. Not only the experience and training, but dedication is also something to think about. There could be a volunteer firefighter who dedicates all his or her time to the trade. But in most cases, these individuals have other jobs, and other priorities in place as well. Career firefighters guarantee their full time and effort to the job. In combined departments, such as the Village of Garden City, there are small restrictions on the volunteer firefighters in place to ensure the safety of the situation when attending calls and fighting fires. However in departments where there are no career firefighters, these restrictions cannot be applied due to the fact that the volunteers are the only ones available. Response times are also never a guarantee, and when a building is up in flames every second counts. Most nations have much more centralized fire departments. “Italy has a national fire service (Corpo Nazionale-Vigili del Fuoco) organized into 92 provinces, administered from 12 regional centers. In Great Britain, local fire departments are organized into county, borough, and special district departments, all under a chief inspector of fire services. In France, fire protection is administered in sectors, except in Paris, where the fire department is operated by the Sapeurs-Pompiers, a brigade of the French army, and in Marseille, where it is administered by the navy. The Japanese government administers 43 regional and 3 metropolitan fire departments. In Denmark, local governments contract for fire-fighting services with companies under supervision of the Ministry of Justice” (International Academy of Emergency Dispatch). In Germany and the United States however, career fire departments are held in larger cities whereas local districts have volunteer departments. Volunteer service is very honorable. However it should be used as a supplement to the fire departments, not a replacement. Its like replacing a local police department with a neighborhood watch group. Firefighting is a serious service and the safety of our lives, businesses and our homes is held within it. It should be taken care of and overseen by well trained, experienced professionals whose sole motivation is fighting and preventing fires, and insuring the safety of the people.

        In 2013, the Village of Garden City laid off six firefighters, claiming to its constituents that they were saving $950,000 in taxes per year. (CBS news)  However when it came down to it, each household saves about $80 a year in taxes. So six hardworking firefighters lose their jobs in order for each household to save less than one hundred dollars a year. The Taylor Law, which refers to article 14 of the New York State Civil Service Law, gives public safety employees the right to arbitration, in turn they are not allowed to go on strike. However arbitration was not enough to save these men their jobs. The attorney for the firefighters, Richard Corenthal, argued that this lack of manpower on the fire department largely decreases the safety of the village. After the layoffs, and demotion of one lieutenant, there were 21 firefighters and four lieutenants. Three of these firefighters were on disability, leaving 18 available for active duty. (GC news) CBS local news states, “In published reports, the deputy mayor has said that the department could operate safely with four lieutenants and 18 firefighters. He added the layoffs do not pose a safety hazard.” However, apparently they did pose a safety hazard. Currently there are 19 firefighters on staff and four lieutenants. Three of those firefighters are on disability, which leaves only 16 available for duty (Garden City Firefighter). That is less than what the mayor claims enough for the department to operate safely. According to Corenthal, there is something called the two in two out rule. Two firefighters must be in the firehouse while two are out in order to maintain communications. With fewer firefighters on staff, it takes longer for the firefighters to travel from across the village, decreasing response time and putting lives at risk. However this was in 2013. Now there are only three firefighters on staff at all times, and sometimes a lieutenant. The village claimed its actions were in the best interest of the people, but that has become hard to believe when the people are no longer being kept as safe as possible.

        John J. Salka Jr. is a retired FDNY Chief. In his article from Firehouse Magazine, “Firefighting: "the greatest job": here's what makes the firefighter's work so gratifying,”  Chief Salka explains why firefighting is the greatest job on earth. “In the weeks and months following 9/11, many unique and motivational phrases, bumper stickers and signs began appearing around New York City and in its firehouses. One in particular said, ‘FDNY Still the Greatest Job on Earth’. It was true before 9/11 and it remains true today” (Salka, 102). The retired Chief then gives a few core reasons as to why this is the case. His first two reasons are dedication and effort. He explains that firefighters are the most dedicated professionals out there. More than anything else, these men and women are dedicated to their fellow firefighters, their firehouses, and the job that they do. Firefighters also put in their full effort, in anything and everything they do. “…firefighters start CPR on a rescued civilian at a fire or a severely injured child at a car accident and literally work until they dropped. This great effort is not limited to emergency activities….I have witnessed firefighters work for several 11 hours on the apparatus floor to repair something rather than send it to the shops for replacement” (Salka 102). Any individual who dedicates that much of themselves to their job is honorable. The next reason is satisfaction. The satisfaction that comes to a firefighter when doing a good job, is immeasurable. According to Salka, the harder the job the greater the satisfaction. Nothing can compare to the level of satisfaction that comes to a firefighter after doing his or her job. Another great quality to firefighters is their vast set of skills and abilities. “Every firefighter needs to know how to advance a hoseline, force a door, start and operate a power saw, use an extrication tool, raise an aerial ladder, use a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), deploy a search rope, rappel from a rooftop, perform CPR, inspect a building, use an extinguisher, tie a knot, climb a portable ladder and the list goes on and on” (Salka 102). I can imagine that learning to do all of these things is not so easy. Along with being able to perform these tasks, these individuals do it with heavy equipment on, adrenaline pumping, sometimes even a building burning around them. The final reason Salka gives is sacrifice. Firefighters everyday sacrifice everything for the job.  They spend much more time than ever expected or required in the firehouse. They sacrifice their time for the job, for charity, for their fellow firefighters. Firefighters sacrifice much of the time they would be with their families for the job. It is never easy, but a loving family would be proud and understanding of the sacrifices the firefighter must make. Then there is the greatest sacrifice, never planned, yet millions of firefighters have made it. Sacrificing one's own life is not a conscious effort as it happens, yet a decision every firefighter makes when they sign up for the job. Most are lucky enough to survive years without making this great sacrifice, however many are not. Yet all firefighters, whether or not they must make this ultimate sacrifice, are heroes. Dedicated, hardworking heroes who take the most pride in what they do, to them firefighting is, as Chief Salka puts it, “the greatest job on earth.”

        My father, Thomas “T.J.” Michon, has been a firefighter for almost fifteen years. He has served that entire time in the Garden City Fire Department. My dad is the perfect example of what Chief Salka explained in his article. He is the hardest working person I have ever known. In and out of the firehouse, my dad never gives up on a task. And he always wants to do it himself, he is too stubborn to get help, rather he is always the one to give help to others. This is okay though, because somehow it seems he can do everything. The characteristics that Chief Salka described, the effort, dedication, vast set of skills, don't just stay inside the firehouse. They become a part of who you are, because firefighting is not just a job, its a lifestyle. An honorable one at that. As you may have noticed, my dad works for the same department that faced the layoffs a few years back. He fought long and hard to try and salvage the jobs of those six men. Ever since then he has become Union President for the career firefighters, and has been fighting for their rights every day. Research, paperwork, lawyers, village meetings, union meetings, all of these take up much of my Dad’s free time. He sacrifices a lot of time that could be spent enjoying himself fighting for the rights of him and his fellow firefighters. In a department that is trying to eliminate the career firefighters, it is a tough fight. Without the dedication and effort, the time he has sacrificed, the fight might have already been over. I look up to my dad everyday. I will admit, we've been at odds many times, but what father and son haven’t? As I’ve gotten older I’ve slowly begun to realize that somehow, no matter what the disagreement we may have, my dad is always right. He is one of the wisest, hardest working people I know. There aren't many things he cannot do or figure out. He is also brave, in all my life I haven't seen him be scared too much of anything. I guess it comes with the territory when your dad is a firefighter. I respect my dad more than anything for what he does, no matter what he is truly a hero in my eyes.

        Firefighters are some of the greatest heroes on earth. It is a shame to see that not the whole world sees it that way. People need to understand the importance of, and need we have for firefighters. The respect I have for any firefighter is as high as respect can be. Firefighters are amazing at what they do, and amazing for what they do. There is nothing but true bravery and heroism in anyone who dedicates their life running into burning buildings, while everyone else is running out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

 

"Board Approves Layoff Of Six Firefighters | Www.gcnews.com | Garden City News." Board Approves Layoff Of Six Firefighters |

 

Www.gcnews.com | Garden City News. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Dec. 2014.

"Fire Department." Ushistory.org. Independence Hall Association, n.d. Web. 20 Dec. 2014.

 

"History of Fire Fighting." History of Fire Fighting. International

 

Academies of Emergency Dispatch, n.d. Web. 22 Dec. 2014.

 

"Interview of Garden City Firefighter." Personal interview. 20 Dec. 2014.

 

"Lawsuit Alleges Firefighter Layoffs Compromise Safety In Garden City." CBS New York. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Dec. 2014.

 

Salka, John J., Jr. "Firefighting: 'the greatest job': here's what makes the firefighter's work so gratifying." Firehouse Magazine Jan. 2014: 102. General OneFile. Web. 21 Dec. 2014.