I am Truly Humbled

I am truly hunbled by the fire family.

They never cease to amaze me.

The fire service tells you at orientation that it is a family, a brotherhood, that they take care of their own when the need arises.  Whether it be through personal tragedies or loss in the line of duty, it makes no difference.  They are there for one of their own.

I have seen this first hand - all for the need of books.

Earlier this month, I put out a plea for help.  I developed a DonorsChoose.org project in order to fill the void of our over stretched budget.  I simply wanted to see if they would help me spread the word that there was a need for books - written at an age appropriate level AND an appropriate reading level.  That is a bit of a challenge given how many of my kids are nearing adulthood and still struggling.  Graphic Novels were my answer.  I was truly hoping that my social media contacts are wide reaching and I was hoping they would help me spread the word and perhaps a wealthy philanthropist - Oprah, Bill Gates, etc - would sweep in, take pity and help build my department library.

Instead it was the fire community that took the charge and was first on scene.  My fire wives led the charge.  They spread the word on Facebook and donated from their hearts.  My first nine benefactors were firewives.  I was literally moved to tears and cannot begin to put my emotions to words.  Some FFWs rallied their friends and families to help out.  They were there for me.  Some were virtual strangers and some I have been blessed to meet in person.  They are my sisters in fire and were there for me from the word GO!

A little closer to home, one of our local Lts. took it upon himself to see what he could do.  At first, he thought a week should cover it, but has now found that it to be a bit more challenging than he expected.  None-the-less, when I stopped at  the firehouse to drop something off to my FF, I had a package waiting for me. (Poor jealous fireman - I get mail at the firehouse all the time and he does not.)  I got my first two graphic biographies from my favorite Lt. - an absolutely wonderful addition to our library.  My heart was humbled (there that is again - no other word really covers it) and at the same time, filled with pride.  These are indeed my people. They make sure our city's kids have coats for the winter and books in their classrooms.

Donations have continued to come in from Facebook.  My family, Facebook friends (even those I made through Sorority Life, who'd a thunk it!) and real life friends have made this come to life.

My heart...

I truly have no words. And I am not often speechless.  

In two weeks time, my friends and family have helped my raise over $1250.  I have only $157 to go and I know that will come soon enough.

With all of the bad press that comes from the fire world - foolish shenanigans of late, budget crisis issues, shopping on shift, etc - I cannot say anything other than I am truly loved and supported by, as well as blessed to be part of this world.

I am in a new school of strangers, still figuring things out and the fire world is right here with me, making sure I have the tools I need to make my crusade come to fruition.  There is no line item in any budget to bring this to life and yet, here it is.

Love and gratitude to you all.

Heartbreaking

I know budget cuts are everywhere - I am a teacher, married to a firefighter.  I get it . We need to trim the fat.  I get it.  The market crashed, the economy crashed.  The old norm is now a memory of the good old days.  It will be the chat at the Beer Fence, the remember when discussion, the material for retirement speeches.  The good old days.
I talk to my friends who are firewives in other parts of the country, the fire department is still seen as important pillars of the community - valued. 


Here, my husband has been sworn at repeatedly while snowblowing in his turnout gear - in front of our children by irate citizens who thinks he makes so much money - during a blizzard to make sure the rigs can get out safely when someone collapses with chest pains while shoveling said snow.  The department is constantly under fire for eating meals together.  They are publicly disparaged for grocery shopping and sitting in the bay on a nice day.  There is even a push among the public for 8 hour work days for FFs.  <eyeroll> I don't think the FFs I have come in contact with have hero complexes that are so often associated with being on the job.  Like any other field some are better than others at what they do.  Some are jerks and some are amazing.  Some have aspirations to crawl up the ladder, while others are content to be FFs forever and ever amen. But that is just life.  Show me a profession that does not see those discrepancies among drive and work ethic.


We have seen our fair share of the effects of the budgets - some in terms of staffing, some in the way of benefits and salaries.  Again, tightening the belt is just part of life.  We have had brown outs and companies taken out of service, but NOTHING like this.





Peace, healing and safe returns to the Detroit Fire Department.  Be sure to have each other's backs, it seems like no one else in the political arena will.  Be patient, but strong.  Continue to serve, but come home safe to your families.  Know that we are all thinking of you at this moment of true crisis.

A FireWife Speaks ~ Tina Clarke

What is a Firefighter Worth? by Tina Clarke ~ Proud Wife of a Cumberland Firefighter  <-----So worth the read!


All I can say is, YOU GO GIRL!!  This article said everything I could say and probably what so many other fire families wish the general public knew.  We (here) face a public that thinks my husband is wasting their tax payer money by going to the grocery store while they are duty.  And they go on and on and on about it in the paper, through editorials and their comments to articles regarding budget cuts.  Really??  You do realize that they take the engine/truck to the grocery stores so that they can ditch their cart on a moments notice and jump in their rig and tend to your asthma/attack/seizure/chest pain at a moment's notice.  If they sent out only their cook, their rig would be considered out of service and your medical attention might take another 5 minutes.





Why don't they just brown bag it?  Probably because they are away from home for 24 hours at a crack and risk their lives on a regular basis and food creates bonds.  Bonds that mean his crew will do their damnedest to make sure my husband comes home to us after his shift is over, even when things get rough.  If you study any part of history, you will see that food is a major part of how the world has run.  From state dinners to breaking of bread that is the basis our most loving communion traditions in our Christian churches to power lunches in corporate America that hae made millions of dollars for businesses around the world.  Food creates bonds.Food does really build relationships.  Please don't make me create a Prezi and give a lecture on this, it is after all Saturday.  I am sorry, but if my husband is going to venture into a home that is going up in flames to save your poodle, then I want him to trust the crew he is going into that inferno with. 


Oh, I forgot, people are also upset that they drive by the fire house and see the firefighters sitting out on a nice night. Why should they, the tax paying public, pay firefighters to sit outside and enjoy a nice night?  Really??  You do realize that they toss those chairs aside in a moment's notice when the tones go off and they need to rescue your teenage daughter from a mangled car that sideswiped that tree when she lost control when she was texting.  Or because your wife's water just broke and she is feeling "pushy".


Are you willing to jump out of bed and help me when my house has been broken into at 1:38 in the morning and my husband is tending to a college kid who had a few too many at a party. My husband is will to come to yours when you fall off that stool your wife told you was not study enough to climb up on.


Don't judge.  My husband has had to watch too many milestones and events through ooVoo or Skype that the rest of the world gets to enjoy, all because he is making sure your family is safe and gets the attention they need.  To make sure you are safe.  Please realize firefighters are simply trying to make sure their family has food and clothing and a home, money to pay the insurance deductibles (YUP, firefighters have them, too.).  Why get upset that they are asking for a cost of living raise?  No one goes into this for the money?  We took a significant loss of income for my husband to follow his dream.  It is so not about the money.  But you still want firefighters to only work 8 hour shifts, bring a bag lunch?  You don't think it is right that the watch TV during their down time.  Don't you realize that they need a break from reality?  A moment to step away from what they witnessed on their last call?   

Jason Pickering, 34, holds a sign Monday in downtown Gary that reads
 "Laid off Gary firefighter. Family of six.
Thank you and God bless."  (Kyle telechan/The Times)

My husband on his last shift, had 11 calls by the time he called me at 9:45pm.  We got 5 minutes into our phone call and the tones went off.  He told me he stopped counting at 16 calls.  Tell me again how lazy firefighters are.


Tina Clarke, thank you.  You said it so much nicer than I would have.  You are getting the conversation started.  Hopefully the people in your town are listening.