The Federation of Fire Chaplains: A Treasure Hidden in Plain Sight
…and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as silver and search for it as hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. Pr. 2:3-5
By Chaplain Doug Kizer
Joining a group, club, or fellowship of any kind is way off the scope of my natural, internal radar screen. I am an introvert and it is not my natural bent to seek out opportunities that could become fraternal or social even in part. However, discovering the Federation of Fire Chaplains was for me like finding a treasure hidden in plain sight. The following are treasures I found and I hope every fire chaplain will find:
I. Training. Each of us approach chaplaincy with some degree of training and experience, though it may be very different from one person to the next. But the Wisdom of Solomon suggests that no matter how qualified we might be, and no matter if the position of fire chaplain found us or if we found the position, we must humble ourselves and seek wisdom for the task we’ve been assigned. Looking back on it now, I can’t imagine being effective in my role as fire chaplain without the knowledge I gained and the resources I found in the basic chaplain’s course. More about this topic is written in the article “Fire Chaplain Training: You Don’t Know, What You Don’t Know”.
Additionally, there are other training conferences that offer courses that go considerably beyond the basics and really begin to sharpen the axe. Critical Incident Stress Management, Pastoral Crisis Intervention, Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention are just some of the classes that will hone your chaplaincy skills. I carry notes in my car that I’ve made from these classes and I review key points frequently: sometimes even when I’m dispatched to a difficult call and am preparing to pull out of my driveway. There are also enrichment classes offered in a myriad of topics that will enhance your overall training experience and provide for a well rounded outlook on fire chaplaincy. The FFC Institute can even document and track our training achievements and provide direction to help us maintain a balanced portfolio of training experiences.
II. Relationships. Fire chaplains may be as different as night and day from each other individually, but we all share a passion for the job. It is the common bond that brings us together as a Federation. That’s why when we meet for training or the fellowship that goes along with it, even an introvert like me can’t help but find a few people that become special to us over a period of time. You may connect with the chaplain sitting next to you, make a new friend during a break, or be drawn to certain instructors leading the class. Today, we have E-mail, texting, and social networking venues all over the internet to make it easy to keep track of friends no matter where they live. There’s even a facebook “group page” that was created specifically for fire chaplains. The Federation’s website also has tons (or should I say megabytes) of information and resources that help us stay connected.
Federation and state level networking can also lead to valuable ministry opportunities. Recently, I was notified through our state chaplaincy network that a deputy state fire marshal was critically ill and facing an emergency surgery. The marshal’s office made a request for a chaplain, and the contact chaplain put it out to our network. I was blessed to be able to make the visit and follow up, and it wouldn’t have happened without my connection to the Federation and state networks. On other occasions, I’ve met current and retired chaplains for the first time when I visited them after hearing of their illness, injury, or need.
III. Validation. It’s good to have a platform to stand on. From there, we are better seen and more easily heard. Being part of the Federation of Fire Chaplains gives us that platform. It adds credibility to our ministry and it affirms our commitment to the fire service. We become a part of an organization that is known and respected throughout the country, and we reap the benefits of its reputation. From my perspective, just knowing and having it known by others that we are in the Federation validates our commitment to the cause. It raises awareness of not only what we do, but what fire chaplaincy is doing all around the country. It provides accountability on some level, and it affirms our commitment to not only bettering ourselves, but also other chaplains that come along beside us.
The Federation is full of chaplains who are doing incredible things, and are inspiring others like myself to follow their lead. Membership may have a cost, but its benefits are priceless. I personally can’t afford not to belong.
