The fire services are my passion and I love just about every minute about it. Firefighting is not as glamorous as some people think though, we usually only see people on the worst day of their life, the luckiest day of their life, or their last day of life. I've seen many triumphs and tragedies over the years and have shed more than a few tears for the suffering and the circumstances. I have a fundamental belief in helping others which is a big part of me. In the end things come full circle and at the very least I know that I've helped someone and made a difference in their life, in helping others you truly help yourself. It is an interesting occupation, you can't quit when it's too hard, you can't quit and leave it till morning, there is nothing too gruesome, you are there to be the best you can despite the odds and whether you know if you will succeed or not. It is an experience that will affect me for the rest of my life without a doubt.

A movie line sums me up best, "How do you pick up the threads of your old life, how do you go on, when in your heart you begin to understand, there is no going back. There are some things that time cannot mend, some hurts that go to deep, that have taken hold". I have a lot of pain from my experiences and profession but I guess it's the trials and tribulations in our life that makes us a person, so I embrace my hurts and my losses with my loves and my gains and somewhere in the middle hope to find all the answers.

I've learned that the six most important words are "Can I Help" and "I Love You", though the latter eludes me at the moment, I look to others and hope I can help.

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Edit Sep/06

Tribute to My American Cousins

I've been burned, broken, exhausted to the point of passing out, blown-up three times, drenched, scared, sad, lost, near drowned twice, crushed, engulphed, in the back of an amubulance as a patient seven times, scratched, dropped, bitten, praised, sunk in a boat twice, cussed, physically on fire three times, hugged, near run over, once actually marooned on an Island of all things and I once got a medal for heroic bravery and none of that means a whole bunch to me as the real hero's aren't among us any longer, only in our memories and on Sept. 11, 2001, a lot of my brothers and sisters died trying to help others.

To "Onair Do Na Mairbh" (honour the fallen) I offer the fire services traditional prayer for my American cousins lost that day and for all who perished helping others, trying to make this hell we live in, a better place.

A Fireman's Prayer

When I am called to duty, God,
Whenever flames may rage;
Give me strength to save some life,
Whatever be its age.

Help me embrace a little child
Before it is too late
Or save an older person
From the horror of that fate.

Enable me to be alert
And hear the weakest shout,
And quickly and efficiently
To put the fire out.

I want to fill my calling
And to give the best in me
To guard my every neighbor
And protect his property.

And if, according to my fate,
I am to lose my life,
Please bless with your protecting hand
My children and my wife.

- Author Unknown

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