We are “brothers” and “sisters”
Leonard J. Paradise, Sr.
Captain
Marcellus (NY) Fire Rescue
I have been involved in the fire service since 1972. One of the most disheartening changes in the service [I perceive] is the lack of civility between fellow firefighters. What is happening to the brotherhood? We have become almost totally self-sufficient fire companies through growth and equipment acquisition. This has led to less mutual aid and less time spent together. There are fewer fires, and when there is a job it is usually a quick knockdown. It does not progress to the old “you all come”-type fires we were accustomed to in the past. This fact is great for all the right reasons, but we don`t spend enough time around each other to become close friends or good acquaintances as in the past. This should not be the end of the brotherhood.
During a trip to the New York Fire Academy, I noticed that the FDNY firefighters use the term of endearment “brother” a lot when addressing fellow firefighters (including me). Maybe using a title when addressing a fellow firefighter would help us to return to the closeness of the past. After all, not everyone can belong to the brotherhood or be called a brother. It is a term signifying closeness to one another and a common bond. Our common bond is the mission to save lives and property. While accomplishing the mission, we should develop ties of the brotherhood.
Some of the avenues are already in place. Do you wave to fellow blue-lighters while driving? Do you go out of your way to say hello to a brother at functions? Do you have it in your heart to crawl through hell for a brother? The answer to each question should be “Yes.” If it is not, you need to ask yourself why. Now I know that everyone can`t like everyone. That has nothing to do with it. It is not about liking someone. It`s about camaraderie, reliance, and trust.
What I don`t understand is that we all feel when a brother goes down even though we may not have given him the time of day when he was alive. We turn out for funerals by the thousands, but if that brother needed help when he was alive, he may or may not have received it.
I also wonder why some paid brothers can`t find it in their hearts to acknowledge the volunteers. I do not want to discuss the differences between paid and unpaid firefighters. My question is, Why can`t there be camaraderie between paid and unpaid firefighters? I [as a volunteer] have attended paid brothers` funerals, and I have seen many paid brothers at volunteer firefighters` funerals. It is nice to show your respect after a tragedy, but you can`t befriend firefighters once they`re gone.
Let us not let the changing society destroy the strong tie the brothers have had in the past. Let us find a way to make our brotherhood stronger and long-lasting for future generations of firefighters. We must remember to include our fellow female firefighters in the service with the endearment “sister.”
