SET GOALS...STRIVE FOR PERFECTION

This article is no way attempting to glorify anything but is a way to pay our respects and honor those that we have lost...

The holiday season is in full effect right now. This is usually the signal that another year is coming to an end.

In this last month of December let us all reflect on the work that we have done this past year. We have made improvements in many areas and maybe not so much in other areas. But we are still striving, still trying to attain the goals we set for ourselves over a year ago.

As you reflect back, also remember that now is the time to set new goals and objectives for the up coming year. Make short term and long term goals. Create objectives that you know can be achieved and create some that you know you will have to absolutely give everything you have in order to achieve them.

The pursuit of perfection is never ending and very rarely attained, but we keep pushing for it. WE MUST. We in the fire service strive to be more then just average, we must keep that desire to be perfect in reach at all times. No matter the season.

We must set our goals and objectives and train and study, so that we may achieve what we set out to do. This is the only way we will be ready to answer the bell when it rings and it is our turn to show just how close to perfect we can be.

It is with a sad heart and weak fingers that I inform (in case yo do not know) we lost a fellow brother and firefighter this morning in Worcester, MA. A second firefighter was also injured in this 3 alarm blaze.

You see these men were answering the bell when it rang. They were proving they were perfect. Perfect in the way that they had trained and studied and were ready to save the lives of those inside the structure that was burning. These men set their goals and objectives. They were going to stand between their neighbor and unrestrained fire - and THEY DID. 

The 3 alarm fire came in Thursday morning just after 4 am. Fire crews did a initial search and were under the impression all occupants were clear of the structure. They were later informed that someone may still be inside.

Four brave firefighters re-entered the structure, relying on their training and their pursuit of perfection, to find the person inside. Of the 4 firefighters, 2 of them became trapped after the rear of the structure collapsed. 

The collapse trapped one firefighter in the cellar and the other on the first floor. They were trapped for more then an hour before they were successfully extricated. The process was extremely dangerous, but their fellow brothers and sisters performed an incredible task in getting to them and extricating both alive. Unfortunately one of the firefighters that was trapped passed away from his injuries while at the hospital.

In this horrible incident I know it hard to understand how I say perfection was attained. But you see these men, these brave FIRE SERVICE WARRIORS, were perfect til the end....

They accepted the duty to stand between their neighbor and unrestrained fire - They acknowledged the dangers of their job and did everything possible to minimize it - They believed that all human life has value and did everything possible to save a human life - They weren't 100% sure the structure was not occupied so they searched - They maintained their fitness level - They wore all their PPE - They trained everyday - They all owned their responsibility to their brothers and sisters - Their will be lessons learned from this horrible incident - They performed their job as those before them would have. 

THE PERFECT FIRE SERVICE WARRIOR...

So as you reflect and set your goals for the up coming year, make sure they are leading you in the direction of perfection. It is not a matter of if, it is a matter of when. When your bell rings, will you be ready to answer it as those men did? Those that we lost today were. WE HONOR THEM...

Please keep them, their families and their department in your thoughts and prayers..