Texas Fire Chief - Spring/Summer 2008 - (Page 16)

None of us can deny the benefits of service. Whether you are at the giving or receiving end of the act, all involved walk away with a renewed sense of hope. the air-conditioning unit in the attic was stolen. This mother had no place to live, very limited funds and family support, and school for her children beginning in one week. The officer notified the Rowlett Firefighters Association of the situation. Within 48 hours, 10 of our department members converged on this home and at no expense to this mother, installed a complete AC unit, two ceiling fans, performed extensive plumbing repairs and many other repairs to this family’s home, all without the desire for recognition or repayment. Another example of this type of selfless service occurred in 2004, when Lewisville firefighters responded to a call for medical assistance. Crews found a gentleman who began experiencing chest pain while laying sod in his yard. This gentleman was then transported by ambulance to the hospital. Noticing that the job was left unfinished and realizing that the resident’s hospital stay could be lengthy, firefighters rolled up their sleeves and completed the yard work. These are only two of the many examples of above-and-beyond acts of kindness performed daily by fire and EMS personnel. We all should be proud of being a part of this noble profession. These selfless acts of kindness provide an example our nation needs when we seem to find ourselves submerged in an environment that promotes selfish, personal gratification. The society we live in teaches our children to look out for themselves, even at the expense of others, if it will result in personal gain, recognition or pleasure. I believe the only way adults can curb this societal trend is to live in such a way that the children of our communities see and gain an appreciation for the value of service to others. Being a part of the fire service provides us with a unique opportunity to be aware of needs within our communities. Whether it is immediately following a fire in a home, a call for assistance at the residence of an elderly couple or many other situations, the opportunity is there if we foster and encourage the service culture in our departments. TEXAS FIRE CHIEF Spring/Summer 2008 ©www.istockphoto.com/James Steidl ©www.istockphoto.com/Joseph Helfenberger 16

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Texas Fire Chief - Spring/Summer 2008

Texas Fire Chief - Spring/Summer 2008 Contents Executive Director’s Report Region Realignment Map Above and Beyond 2007 Conference Highlights ‘Service Above Self’ Texas Commission Implements Southwest Fire Rescue Conference Program Membership Application Who Are Those Guys? Alarms for the Hearing Impaired Recent Calls Index to Advertisers

Texas Fire Chief - Spring/Summer 2008

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