Traditions
I began reading a second book by Stephanie Schorow "Boston on Fire". I finished the first one "The Cocoanut Grove Fire" recently. Stephanie contacted me about a book that Charles Kenney is writing titled "Rescue Men" and it's a memoir by Charles Kenney whose father was a Boston firefighter and grandfather was a Boston firefighter (who fought at the 1942 Cocoanut Grove fire) and whose brother Tom was a firefighter and a FEMA team member sent to NYC on Sept. 12 to help with rescue/recovery efforts. The book also tells the stories of many other Boston "rescue men" and firefighters.
The point of this post is something that I thought of when I read the introduction and forward of "Boston on Fire". A firefighter wrote that he thought some of the traditions that Boston Fire has were rumored and possibly just hear say until he read the book and believed them after Stephanie's careful research of the topics.
Which brings me to my point. Roanoke Fire-EMS has traditions. We have things that we do everyday, some make sense, some don't. We know why we do some of them, and others we have to ask older firefighters for reasons why we do them. These traditions give us a sense of ownership among our department. Ownership of our job. Others lose the meaning of these traditions in the translation when escalating the ladder of promotions, or moving from department to department, or being unwilling to learn about the department where they work. I believe some of these simple traditions keep the morale upbeat in the department. I also feel that these traditions keep the firefighters with a feeling of uniqueness in relation to other departments.
We have many traditions, most have been brought up in posts in the past. What are some of the traditions you know of? If you are from a different department, what traditions do you have?
The point of this post is something that I thought of when I read the introduction and forward of "Boston on Fire". A firefighter wrote that he thought some of the traditions that Boston Fire has were rumored and possibly just hear say until he read the book and believed them after Stephanie's careful research of the topics.
Which brings me to my point. Roanoke Fire-EMS has traditions. We have things that we do everyday, some make sense, some don't. We know why we do some of them, and others we have to ask older firefighters for reasons why we do them. These traditions give us a sense of ownership among our department. Ownership of our job. Others lose the meaning of these traditions in the translation when escalating the ladder of promotions, or moving from department to department, or being unwilling to learn about the department where they work. I believe some of these simple traditions keep the morale upbeat in the department. I also feel that these traditions keep the firefighters with a feeling of uniqueness in relation to other departments.
We have many traditions, most have been brought up in posts in the past. What are some of the traditions you know of? If you are from a different department, what traditions do you have?
12 comments:
zzzzzzzz!!
What about changing shifts at 0750? Is that still going on Rhett? When I was there I thought that was a cool tradition!
Don't you all see..... Rhett is hob-nobbing with the literary set. He has written a book, so now he is way better than the rest of us lowly firefighters (as if he didn't think he was better than us before). All this talk about all the books he has been reading is putting me to sleep.....
I wunder if any departments have a tradition of pissin and moanin about where they got assigned when they got a promotion. Anyboody have that tradition?
hahahahaha
Some people forget they have the best job in the world. All I have to say is if you hate your job that bad, why are you still here moaning about it while others try to actually carry on the proud tradition of firefighting.
I see what Rhet does as honoring the firefighters that paved the way before him and helping the ones that are not here yet. If you are getting your toes stepped on maybe you should sit back and think about why you got the job in the first place.
Keep up the GREAT work rhet.
Some people forget that they have the best job in the world. IF you hate your job that bad why are you still here moaning about it.
I see what Rhet is doing here is actually honoring the firefighters that came before him, and helping the ones that are not here yet. Maybe you should step back and remember why you got this job in the first place and actually try to have a positive outlook instead of only seeing the negative.
Keep up the GREAT work rhet.
What a bunch of sorry SOB'S. Here is a story of a great man below who is retireing from the job and department that he loves!!!He would stay another 20 if his health was good. But do you think anyone in our department post good words there?? NO, We are to busy trying to screw over each other or bad mouth someone in our department!! Grow up, We are all in this together. I just can not believe that peope would rather come on here and be negitive but cant write a few good words about our chief! It really tells what kind of department we work for and the character of our firefighters. Roanoke you now see what kind of fire department you have, and you must be proud!
BRAVO!!!
I agree that Rhett is doing an outstanding job with this website and in the union. The people on here who complain would not have any place to put their comments on if this didnt exsist. For those who have nothing else to do but complain or wine they really need to look in the mirror, do they see themselves doing good for the department and union or are they so caught up in the slander that this website is not designed for. If you dont like Rhett, dont associate with him or this website. Great job Rhett. I like having the opportunity to come here and seeing things that about our department.
Thank you Rhett! Great work. Congrads on your accomplishment and hard work with your book and this site. I know how dedicated a father you are and with the little ones it is amazing you have time for this. I apreciate your efforts and hope you continue to put time into this information (gathering and passing it along). Those of you who piss and moan should find other outlets. Rhett please don't let the few ruin this for those of us who have learned from the things posted or from others insights. Keep up your good work!!
Thank you, I really appreciate the comments about my children. It amazes me that I am able to fit enough time in for them. Of course, I couldn't do any of this without my awesome wife. She is the one who really makes all this possible. She has no problem taking up the slack when I am not there.
Thanks for noticing.
- Rhett
Post a Comment