When you read some of the stories and headlines in the last few months or so, you have to wonder what’s going on? Such simple, basic fire, rescue and EMS responsibilities seem to have been forgotten, with some people in our field having lost their way.
In so many respects, understanding our job is pretty easy. People call us for help, often at their worst moments. We respond as quickly as we can (with well-qualified experts, paid, unpaid, poorly paid-whatever) to do what we can to turn that bad moment around. We often succeed, but of course, sometimes we don’t.
One key ingredient in our success is actually giving a damn. Caring. Wanting people who need our help to get better, not worse, not get trapped, not burn up, not stop breathing – the basics.