The Generation Gap and the Fire Service

A few years ago, while as serving as chaplain to the Montgomery Alabama Fire Department, I was in a firehouse making biscuits and gravy for the shift change.
Fire fighters were gathering around the table eating, when the discussion of today’s drill at training started. Within in a few minutes things were getting a little heated. Not so much about the drill, but rather how the process of the drill should take place. Before long firefighters were grabbing their plates and moving to different areas of the station.
One lieutenant commented “Where are we getting these new kids from? They show no respect.” Another comment was, “That old man, (42), he doesn’t understand today’s firefighter. This job gives me benefits and retirement. It’s my off duty job that gives me satisfaction. Just leave us alone and let us do the job.”
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Point of Contact

As Emergency Services Chaplains, we are routinely called upon to respond to scenes where a death has occurred and offer emotional and spiritual support to traumatized and grieving family members. This service requires an incredible amount of observation, sensitivity, and composure. Because of the unique identity that we hold as Chaplains, people in crisis identify us with someone who is safe, compassionate, and grounded. It is not uncommon to be introduced as Chaplain, and immediately have a family member reach out to be touched or embraced. This activity is a demonstration on behalf of the individual to make contact with someone who is offering a sense of stability in a moment of utter chaos and unpredictability; no different than a drowning person reaching for a life ring surrounded by a thrashing sea. Because of this sense of steadiness we as Chaplains become a point of contact, offering a presence of hope and a spirit of courage as we partner with the individual or family, assuring them that they don’t have to face the pain alone.

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Keeping it Fresh

If you are like me, your pager has gone off for more years than you have fingers and toes. The calls come in at the most inconvenient times; they come with trauma, they come with heart ache and they come with loss. Then there are the fire fighters who need your good counsel and wisdom.

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