Heroism redefined
Shannan Burch
Firefighter/Paramedic
Comanche, Texas
I remember my first fire call as if it were yesterday. I was sitting at home when the pagers went off for a structure fire near the center of town. I got into my car and flew to the station, eager to be on the first-out truck and next to a Hero. God, to be a firefighter, what a dream come true!
As a child watching firefighters on TV shows, I could only dream of the day when I, too, would become a Hero. Who were the heroes? The people who saved the toys, lives, and homes that we love so much. They were the people who made a difference–and they were the firefighters. Firefighters, in their big red trucks and bright yellow gear–they were the men and women I respected.
As my days in the department grew into years, my Heroes changed. Their gear was no longer bright, and being the first one there didn`t mean very much anymore. Instead, my Heroes were seldom seen at a fire and appeared only on meeting night to complain and vote. And they are the people I wanted so much to be like? Where were the Heroes?
I came to realize that over the years that I, too, had fallen into this routine. I had failed as a Hero. Then a Rookie came along. Yes, the Rookie we laugh about, the Rookie we love to tease. But this Rookie came with the same spirit I once had, wanting only to be a Hero. I realized he already was a Hero, with a sense of pride and the true dedication to show up for even the smallest of fires, no matter what he was doing.
I found myself not wanting to be a Hero anymore but wanting to be a Rookie again.
