It's not about us ... me, you, him or her. It's about US ... the Fire Service .. THE BROTHERHOOD. Maybe our small gestures will inspire greater ones from others ....

Rhett (Lt Rhett Fleitz aka The Fire Critic) and I have been at this for a while now. We share common goals and a direction. We've always known that we would eventually "make it" somewhere ... we just weren't sure we'd end up exactly where we wanted to be (or if we even knew where that place was).

TODAY ... these brothers are fighting to recover. TODAY ... their families sacrifice and suffer. What will YOU do to help TODAY?

Here in "The Noke", we have a GREAT working relationship with our Brothers in Blue (Police Department). You never read it in our paper or see it on the news but we see a lot of shootings, stabbings and just general assaults. Having a good and trusting relationship between Fire/EMS and Police is crucial on these types of incidents.

Like the 343 lost on 9/11, I try to remember these and all the other members lost in the Line of Duty EVERYDAY. I challenge you to do the same. Don't just remember these brave men today ( because of a 7 year "anniversary" ) remember them tomorrow, the day after that, the next, next and so on.

The thing is ... you have to do more than just talk about Brotherhood, you have to act. You have to do something (ANYTHING..big or small) to make a positive impact on the Service and aid our fellow Brothers / Sisters. Rhett and I try to do so everyday. Zach founded and entire company on that principle.

The " Illusion of death " .... HA ! There is no "illusion". Death is VERY real and nobody knows that better than those of us in the Fire / EMS service. We see it often .. sometimes daily. What we see is not the drama coated "Hollywood" death but the REAL thing. It's not pretty!

That's where I have a small problem ... I always have my helmets "blessed" before placing them into service and I've decided to ask our newly appointed Department Chaplin, Father Sandy Webb; to do it for me. We've actually spoken about it before so I'm sure he will, it's just that he's currently out of the Country.

The point I'm working towards is this. I think that together, Rhett and I have a pretty good grasp / understanding of Pride and Ownership ( and know all to well that it takes more than a few Memorial Stair Climbs or our face on a coin). Now, all we have to do is to figure out what to do with it. Actually, that's not 100% correct either ... we know what to do with it ... that's part of owning it.

"TRIAL BY FIRE: Lives Re-Forged," is a NEW documentary film about burn survivors and highlights life-saving fire prevention awareness. It features American War Hero and "Dancing With the Stars" Champion, J.R. Martinez and others who survive personal fire tragedy as well as focusing on what FIRE FIGHTERS do.