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Random Thoughts |
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The last 24 hours of events has had me thinking all day & the majority of last night. Made for a great night sleep, NOT! I'm approaching 24 years in the Fire Service. It struck me today for whatever reason the Engine Crew that God has acquired in just the past few years of people I have either known, taken a Fire or EMS Class, & called Friend. I look back at one of my preceptors who went up a while ago, John Yeager. He was an outstanding Paramedic & taught me quite a bit about being a good Field Medic. He took it beyond that though & taught or at least helped me see what the Fire Service truly was, One Huge Family. He was right, I knew it then & even more so today. We are recognized by both Brother & Sister alike no matter where we are or what we are doing. When we find another one of us it is as if we have known each other for years. There is no difference between Career, Part-time, or Volunteer, We do the same job. There is no perfect Fire Department or EMS, the problems, names, & place may be different but it is still The Fire Service. I know the Tri-State area is hurting due to our recent & unexplained loss. There is no rhyme or reason as to why at this time it happened. There never is. There never will be. None the less every one of us who do the job will put our gear on just as fast & be ready to respond, ready to go in & search if needed, Ready to climb the ladder & ventilate the roof, or climb in the car to rescue the person trapped inside. We do this not because it is a job but a way of life. We do this because we want to. We do this because we love it. No questions asked, We have a job to do. Here are just a few of the people who have joined Heaven's Fire Company that I knew or was a friend:
John Yeager, FF/PM, Cincinnati Fire Division, R-24,My Preceptor & Friend
Rick Barlion, FF/PM, Blue Ash FD & Mason VFC, Took classes with him
Henry Scott, FF/PM, Springdale FD & Fairfield FD, Took Con. Ed. with him
Lt. Mike McCreary, LT/FF Colerain Twp. FD & Fernald FD, worked with him on Fernald Fire patch & Friend
Bob Kluener, FF/EMT Green Twp FD, Friend & Co-Worker
Bill Ellison, FF/PM Anderson Twp. FD & Miami Twp. FD, took Co. Ed with him & saw him many times at the hospital on runs
Capt. Ed Bosanko, Captain Prince Georges County FD, friend & fellow patch trader
I'm sure there are others who I have missed but these gentlemen had some impact on me or my life in some way or another. Today & tonight as well as last night as the word spread about Bill. Here are a few things that may have taken place: Children were hugged a little longer by their Dad or Mom. Wives were hugged a little longer by their Husband. Wives were told they were loved an extra time. Husbands were hugged a little longer by their Wife. Husbands were told they were loved an extra time. Children may have seen their Mother or Father shed a tear. Children were watched as they lay there sleeping. Extra care was taken when a child was helped with homework. Husbands or Wives got a special card. Little things that are taken for granted were noticed & appreciated. Some one didn't yell at the person who cut them off. Someone held the door for the person coming in behind them. Someone said "HI" or wished a total stranger, "Have a nice day".
We may have done something we didn't even realize only because we were thinking about our lives or career. We were thanking God it wasn't us. Not that we wished this tragedy on anyone but that we have another day with our families, at home or in the Firehouse. A week or month from now will anyone outside these departments or his family remember. Some will some won't. It isn't wrong or right, It just happens. We don't become indifferent or uncaring we just realize it is something that happens from time to time in our line. If we dwell on it constantly we would not be able to do the job for the fear of us being next. Why am I writing this you ask. I asked myself that before I began. Then I realized that I will remember Bill Ellison as I have remembered the others above. I will remember with a fondness for having the pleasure of knowing him & the pleasure of having met him. Never take the people you meet in this business for granted or try not to forget them. These men are now a part of the history of The Fire Service. That is something we should never forget. Please keep all members of The Fire Service in your prayers but especially for Bill, His Wife & 2 kids, Anderson Twp & Miami Twp. Firefighters. I wish you all a safe shift. May God watch & Protect us all. Mark
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