Mental Health and Wellness

You've always given 100% to everything you do but I want to ask you to hold back on this one. Save a little for your family, the ones who love you and for yourself. You are still naive, yet full of life, humility and compassion. The job will demand these qualities from you but it will also strip you of them over time.... be careful of that.

We had several good discussions with valid points made by most everyone in the room. It didn't take long before the word "Millennials" was thrown out. Now all of us "old guys" know that the "Millennials" are, have been and will continue to be the damnation and ruin of the Fire Service.... right?

A couple of things I should mention here is that 1.) we followed the key note speaker ... Chief Bobby Halton. Yea... "THAT" Bobby Halton... OMG... talk about pressure.

As firefighters, we see and do things on a daily basis that most people never will (and shouldn't have to). We see and do these things without hesitation yet there was no way we could have known or been prepared for the life we were about to devote and expose ourselves to.

How about leaving as "better" firefighters? As "better" EMT's or Paramedics? As "better" public servants, leaders, co-workers, mentors? How about leaving as "better" human beings ... as better people?

I've been saying it for years now.... if we can't take care of our own families, what would make us think we can take care of someone else's ... a complete strangers ... the same people we are sworn to protect and serve? Think about that for a minute.

Can you imagine searching for victims in all this destruction while not even knowing that your own family is safe? Responding to a street that doesn't even exist any more?

Doing "The Right Thing" isn't about me. It's not about making myself look better in the eyes of someone who may or may not even have a clue about "The Right Thing". It's not about impressing someone. It shouldn't be for you either. If it is ... then maybe you're missing the mark. Maybe you're NOT "Doing The Right Thing" after all. Maybe you're in the wrong place.

My thoughts and prayers are with the Delp family as well as with the firefighters and First Responders who made a valiant effort in attempting their rescue. I know some of the responders personally and have spoken with them. Obviously, their hearts are heavy but it appears they have a good support network in place and are utilizing it.

The video and song is by Kevin Davidson . Kevin is a Volunteer Firefighter for Greenwich VFD in Kings County Nova Scotia. He is also a paid Paramedic for EHS in Nova Scotia.