An Open Letter to All Our Brother and Sister Firefighters
Susan Brightmire
Paramedic Lieutenant
Littleton (CO) Fire Department
I am writing to you as a firefighter and paramedic from the Littleton (CO) Fire Department. It is a medium-sized suburban department and a workplace of which we have always been proud to be a part. We have seen our share of tragedies and made a difference now and then. In general, I would guess we are not much different from most of you who may read this letter. Unfortunately, the events at Columbine High School have made an impact on us I hope that very few will ever have to experience.
I could not begin to write anything more to add to the reams of information we have all read and heard about this incident. I am sure there is a lot I don`t know, and much more I never want to know. As always is the case when we are privy to inside stories that others may not have heard, all they do is make an unspeakable horror just that much more horrendous. Be glad you are a little removed. Instead, I would like to comment (perhaps as a way to further my own healing) on the incredible support and our gratitude to all of you.
The Littleton firefighters have received cards, letters, faxes, e-mails, and phone calls from around the globe. I would try to name the countries, but it would be simpler to say that we have been touched by fellow firefighters from pretty much every corner of the world. As you know, it is our nature to put the tragedies of others in front of our own grief. I believe it may be an unwritten part of our job description. The general public now grieves with the friends and families of all the people from Columbine High, as well they should, and we join them wholeheartedly in that grief. However, it brings me strength to read the messages of support received from all of you.
Sometimes, what we do can be so heartbreaking that it seems doing it for one more day is impossible. As I write this, the sadness I feel is so deep and heavy inside me that I wonder if it will linger there forever. Then I read some more of the words you all have sent us, and I am reminded of the reasons I feel this is such a noble calling.
There were heroes there that day. I was not at the scene, but from every report and every angle, the men and women of the Littleton Fire Department were stellar. Some carried children out on their backs, several had bullets fly past them, and many of us waited in agony for our brothers` and sisters` children to come out alive. We all know someone either dead or hospitalized, and none of us is untouched by this. Still, and I say this with all humility, we are heroes no more than you are. I thank you for recognizing the bravery of some of our individuals, but I believe everyone who puts on a uniform has the same bravery inside of them. Any town in America would have seen a fire department full of the same heroes.
Thank you for reaching out to us in our sorrow. I`m not sure I would have had the insight to send a general letter to an entire fire department as so many of you did, but I will remember it for the future. You have made us seem not so alone in our grief.
You have my deepest gratitude for reminding us all that we are part of a bigger family. Right now, we need such things to remind us of the goodness of the world.
May you always be safe.
