Photo courtesy of the Stephenson (MI) Fire Department
By Anne Gagliano
As I begin to write this, to my surprise, my eyes fill with tears. I’ve written countless columns on firefighters for more than six years now, and this hasn’t happened to me before. I’m shaking, my cheeks are wet, and my vision blurs. And it is because of this: As I attempt to address this topic and do it even a hint of justice, I’m overwhelmed by my inadequacy. How does one even begin to fathom, let alone put into words, that which is deepest and truest and noblest of all—the heart of a volunteer?
What does it take to be a volunteer firefighter? Qualification begins with these three things: Volunteers must be “clearheaded,” able to make sound decisions in the midst of danger. They must have incredible physical strength to carry themselves, equipment, and others through intense obstacles. And they must have enough emotional strength to not become disabled by traumatic stress.
Volunteers must also seek training on their own time and on their own dime, from 24 to 200 hours or even more, depending on the requirements of the department they wish to serve. Most departments also require EMS certification. Volunteers are subjected to background checks and drug tests. And then, if approved, they will sacrifice countless hours of duty and service to their community. They will show up when needed to risk themselves mentally, physically, and emotionally for friends, neighbors, and complete strangers. You might think all it takes to be a volunteer is lots of free time, but that is not so: “Volunteers don’t necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.” – Elizabeth Andrews (emphasis added)
But I wish to humbly submit this—I believe that paid firefighters are volunteers as well. No one can force firefighters to put themselves into harm’s way. They must go willingly. And all firefighters are paid the same whether they show up to be excellent or show up to be mediocre. Mediocre firefighters watch the clock and save their best for off-duty pursuits. They shirk their share of the work and barely engage with their fellow firefighters. And they do nothing to improve the quality of the fire department or the morale at the firehouse.
Excellent firefighters must volunteer to be so. They seek extra training on their own time and on their own dime. They strive to improve in every way possible. They say to the officer, “Here I am; send me” when asked, “Who will do this unpleasant task?” They show up, ready to give their best to the department and the firehouse, day after day, year after year. And they take the time to not only engage with fellow firefighters but to know them so well as to recognize when they are beginning to falter, to grow weary, maybe to the point of needing intervention. And when they see this, they do not turn a blind eye. Instead, they come alongside struggling fellow firefighters and walk with them through the darkness.
And fire officer, nowhere is your willingness to volunteer more needed. You have the potential to impact the fire service at the next level. Excellent leaders build, exhort, and encourage. They seek extra training on their own time and on their own dime. Never satisfied, they always strive to improve the fire department for the sake of the community and for the safety of their fellow firefighters. They find problems—and they do all they can to fix them. They recognize and reward the diligent efforts of their crew. And they quickly and humbly deflect glory from themselves and shift it instead onto their brothers and sisters, as the best leaders are volunteers, they serve from the heart.
Mediocre fire officers do the opposite. They show up only to punch the clock and pad the resume and the retirement fund. They ignore problematic issues and problematic personnel and shift responsibility onto other officers whenever possible. They never reward excellence in others and even squash it at times when it threatens to expose their own failures. And they only favor those who favor them, as it’s all about ego—not service. Poor leadership is the number one morale killer in the fire department; it is worse by far than all of the stresses and strains of the job itself, combined.
And this is what brings tears to my eyes. As a longtime firefighter spouse, it has been my privilege to watch “volunteer” firefighters in action. My husband and I are surrounded by so many of them. Here in the Seattle area, nationally and even internationally, I’ve seen them arise in the midst of this ever darkening selfish world, willing to do good—without compensation. What does it take to be a volunteer? Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” And what is your reward? “You may not have saved a lot of money in your life, but if you have saved a lot of heartaches for other folks, you are a pretty rich man.” –Seth Parker.
Firefighting is God’s work, noble, self-sacrificing, and good. “Be steadfast and immoveable, my beloved brothers …. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor … is not in vain …. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.” (1Cor. 15:58, Gal 6:10)
And the noblest of firefighters? The volunteer, the one who shows up to be excellent—without compensation. For there is nothing more beautiful, there is nothing more inspiring, and “there is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer.”–James Doolittle, Medal of Honor Recipient, WWII
Anne Gagliano has been married to Captain Mike Gagliano of the Seattle (WA) Fire Department for 30 years. She and her husband lecture together on building and maintaining a strong marriage.
