On March 17, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved Senate Bill 802. This legislation approved $1 million for the First Responders Presumed Coverage Reimbursement Fund. This fund was first created in 2015 to "help first responders who developed cancers after years of exposure to hazardous materials," according to the Lansing State Journal.
Though the fund is over a year old, the committee had yet to make any deposits. However as of March 17, there was a unanimous vote to make the $1 million deposit.
"When firefighters get to the scene of a fire, they have to work as a team. I'm proud that we've worked as a team to get this done," Sen. Curtis Hertel told the Detroit Free Press. "Let's make sure that never again when someone who is injured in the line of duty is not taken care of."
The committee has plans to increase the deposit into the fund by $2 million in next year's budget, as reported by the Lansing State Journal. The fund will cover firefighters who develop lymphatic cancer and cancers of the respiratory tract, bladder, skin, brain, kidney, blood, thyroid, testicular or prostate because of exposure to hazardous materials on the job.
Matthew and Cori Maple had long dreamed of establishing a nonprofit organization to help veterans. An Army veteran himself, Matthew finally got the opportunity to do so this holiday season. News Channel 11 of Fort Wayne, Indiana reported that the Maples' "Clothes for Joes," though new, has already made a big impact of local veterans.
"I've had a few friends that I served with that ended up being homeless throughout the years," Matthew told the news station. "Being around the homeless population, knowing what's out there, knowing how many of those guys are actually veterans – it breaks my heart to see guys who gave their life for our country have nothing."
Rather than sit around and do nothing, Matthew and Cori took action. They put a flyer for donations up on Facebook, and before long their local Texas Roadhouse pledged its support. According to News Channel 11, two trucks were required to transport nearly 100 coats to the local shelter.
"The day we took it over there, it was probably five or 10 vets outside," Matthew recalled. "Just some of their reactions … to see guys break down in tears and overwhelmed with happiness and joy. To see these guys get the gratification of knowing that someone is doing this for [them], made it all worthwhile."
The Maples weren't the only ones who made collecting coats for veterans their mission. In Reading, Massachusetts, the Reading Fire Fighters Association made sure that Alex Reinoso of the Veterans Northeast Outreach Center had plenty of winter gear to carry back to the men and women he serves after dropping by the fire station on Dec. 22.
Altogether, Reading Patch reported, the firefighters delivered 47 coats – both brand new and very lightly used – as well as 57 new hats and 23 new pairs of gloves. Not to exclude the veterans' children, more than 20 toys were also delivered to the outreach center.
As the holidays hit full swing, firefighters and other first responders across the United States work to keep people safe and make the season a little brighter for some. Whether they are helping Santa distribute gifts, rescuing families from a fire or protecting Christmas purchases from the flames, firefighters are there to make the season merrier.
In Aurora, Illinois, The Chicago Tribune reported that firefighters will maintain their regular duties while helping a local Santa deliver presents to over 125 families in need around the community. The news source wrote that the Aurora Fire Department has been collecting gift donations for the past two decades, making Christmastime better for families in need.
In Wichita, Kansas, firefighters saved a family and all their presents from a fire caused by a space heater in the home, according to KAKE News. The family said that even though they lost their home to the blaze on Dec. 21, the holiday was saved by the firefighters' efforts to protect them and their purchases.
This holiday season, be sure to thank a local firefighter or first responder, as these brave individuals sacrifice time with their own families to keep you and yours safe.
Veterans Day isn't the only day of the year veterans are honored with parades. In San Angelo, Texas and Louisville, Kentucky, veterans were at the center of parades recognizing them for their dedication to service.
The Standard-Times reported that school bands from all over San Angelo and other parts of Texas were on hand on Thursday, Dec. 10 to receive 23 veterans wounded and disabled by combat. San Angelo Support for Veterans, Inc. and Lone Star Warriors Outdoors sponsored the men to participate in a multi-day, free-of-cost hunting trip to a number of West Texas ranches.
"Oh my gosh, this was amazing," Chris Gill, founder of LSWO, told the Standard-Times. "I've seen parades out here before but this was totally unexpected."
Uniformed servicemembers drove the 23 veterans along the Concho River route in golf carts as the Goodfellow Air Force Base Honor Guard, the Angelo State University drum corps and members of each branch of the service paid special tribute.
In Kentucky, the 60th inauguration parade – welcoming the state's 62nd governor into office – made sure veterans and first responders received their due. WHAS 11 described how four lines of marching police officers commemorated Daniel Ellis, Cameron Ponder, Eric Chrisman and Burke Rhoads – the four Kentucky officers killed in the line of duty this year.
An ambulance made its way through the parade as well, in memory of deceased paramedic John Mackey and fire chief Billy Ray Jarvis.
Servicemembers were also a main part of the parade. Medal of Honor recipient and Kentucky native Dakota Meyer, a Marine Corps veteran, was among those honored.
Charlie Coleman, a veteran who drove into town to see the parade, was moved by what he saw. "I was a coach. I've lost some players that were killed in Afghanistan and I lost a brother-in-law in Vietnam," he told WHAS 11. "So I'm pleased that they're being recognized today. What a great day for the Commonwealth."
In 2001, Patrick Hardison was working as a volunteer firefighter just outside Senetobia, Mississippi. He went out on a call to a house fire, and according to The Washington Post, was trapped when the roof collapsed. Some of Hardison's protective gear was knocked off and he was exposed to the flames. Though he was able to escape with his life, the accident left his face severely disfigured.
The Washington Post reported that Hardison underwent over 70 surgeries and skin grafts before he became a patient of Eduardo D. Rodriguez, chair of plastic surgery at NYU Langone Medical Center.
On Aug. 14, Rodriguez began the world's "most extensive face transplant surgery," as reported by Newsweek. Hardison's procedure was covered by a grant from NYU Langone amounting to about $1 million. The team of 150 medical professionals took one year to practice for the surgery, as they only had one chance to get it right.
After 26 hours of operation, Rodriguez announced that the surgery had been a success and that Hardison was recovering. Newsweek wrote that Hardison was given new lips, ear, cheeks and eyelids. His hair had even begun to grow back.
To see Hardison's amazing transformation, click here.
When a house fire broke out in Queens in mid-November, the New York Fire Department responded promptly to assist the family. What the firefighters on scene did not realize was that they would soon be hailed as heroes for their efforts.
According to The Mirror, Lt. Adam Vilagos arrived at the fire with the rest of his crew and heard one of the family members asking for the whereabouts of a baby. Vilagos, who has been a firefighter for 18 years, quickly realized that the child was still inside the burning house. He asked the parents where the crib was located and immediately rushed to the attic. The news source wrote that the firefighter was able to locate the baby by listening for his cries through the smoke. The veteran firefighter was able to bring the 3-week-old safely from the fire and hand the baby boy off to paramedics.
The child was taken to a local hospital, where he was treated for smoke inhalation.
"[The firefighters] did a heroic job. They came through. Thank God for them," the baby's grandmother told New York Daily News.
The infant is currently in New York-Presbyterian Hospital and expected to recover.
Timothy Marsh, a veteran of the first Gulf War, still wasn't totally at ease with his recent relocation to Oregon when he got lost and ran out of gas while driving through the state's heavily forested coast on Saturday, Nov. 7. Marsh had been on his way to a family member's home, his 12-year-old golden retriever Rusty tagging along in the passenger seat, when he began to feel disoriented. Within moments he had blacked out.
"I had some sort of medical issue. I didn't take my medicine," Marsh told Katu.com, a local news site. When Marsh woke up, his truck's fuel gauge read empty and he found himself stranded on a hillside somewhere in a forest he knew little about. There was nothing to drink, and nothing to eat besides a can of Rusty's dog food.
Marsh's family soon reported him missing, according to Reuters, and the local search and rescue teams set out looking for him. Meanwhile, Marsh was trying desperately to attract attention. He used sticks to create help signs and left notes where he could. As the days went by, he survived by drinking puddles of rain water and splitting dog food between Rusty and himself. But the situation was getting desperate. Marsh told Katu.com that he didn't expect to live through another night among the wet, frigid trees.
On the fourth day though, a man out hunting nearby heard Marsh's shouts for help. The man, also a veteran, contacted the county sheriff as quickly as he could. Within two hours, the search and rescue team had found Marsh and Rusty. They were cold and disoriented, but they were alive.
Marsh was released from the hospital on Veterans Day.
As a leader of a firefighting station, few people understand the value of good working relationships better than you. You know that when lives are on the line, you need to be able to count on the person next to you to do his or her job. You should also be able to trust that person to have your back should the situation become dangerous for you. By taking the time to cultivate good working relationships in your station house, you have a better chance of building a stronger unit. Take a look at a few examples of ways to improve relationships at your station house.
1. Communication is crucial
The members of your team should feel comfortable talking to each other. If they are not, this can drastically affect team relations and may get in the way of performance. You do not have to oversee all lines of communication, but if you notice a problem between two particular members, try to iron it out before it begins to affect the rest of the crew.
2. Find the balance between friendly and professional
Even though fire squads often become so close that they are almost like family members to one another, it is important to remember that their main purpose is to complete a job. It is OK to encourage camaraderie, but make sure that your unit treats each other with a professional attitude.
3. Host team-building events
Finding time in a firefighter's busy schedule to bond can be difficult, but it is a vital part of maintaining a functional unit. Whenever there is downtime, lead a group activity. This can be as simple as preparing and sharing a meal together on shift or playing a board game in between calls.
4. Be a proponent of respect
Despite the fact that your station house may be full of close friendships, you need to promote an atmosphere of respect. Do not allow new people to feel alienated or to be hazed. Additionally, make sure all practical jokes and jesting do not compromise the respectfulness between team members.
5. Make sure everyone does their jobs
The quickest way for bad blood to develop in a station house is when someone begins to slack on his or her responsibilities. As the leader of the unit, it is your job to ensure that everyone holds their own. If you notice someone slacking, pull them aside and remind them that it takes teamwork to make the station house run efficiently.
6. Keep external issues out of the station house
As stated previously, firefighters can develop close bonds. That means that some of them may be hanging out away from work. This is great and should be encouraged. However, this can also mean that firefighters may occasionally have personal issues with each other that result from outside friendships. Make it clear that any issues from outside of work must not affect the job and should be handled off duty.
Building a strong team means taking the time to cultivate relationships in your station house. Hopefully, the advice above will help you in this endeavor.
It does not matter if you are fighting on the front lines of a combat zone or working to keep your city safe, teamwork is crucial. Any seasoned military servicemember or first responder will tell you that you cannot do the job alone. You must rely on those in your unit or station house to complete the job successfully. However, sometimes people need to be reminded of the importance of teamwork. Below are a few quotes to help inspire the spirit of teamwork in your group.
"Remember, teamwork begins by building trust. And the only way to do that is to overcome our need for invulnerability." –Patrick Lencioni
This quote by American author Patrick Lencioni is perfect for first responders and servicemembers. Not only are teamwork and trust the building blocks for a successful unit or station house, but overcoming the need to be invulnerable can make team members much more prepared to face the challenges in the field.
"Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much." –Helen Keller
These words are great to put on a sign and hang somewhere in your station house or base. Keller's quote communicates to people that it is much more productive to work in unison as opposed to individually. For service oriented individuals, such as soldiers and first responders, this quote serves as a reminder of the end goal.
"Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success." –Henry Ford
Henry Ford did well for himself in the automotive industry, but his words are applicable to so many more lines of work. It could demonstrate to servicemembers and first responders that all stages of the teamwork process are equally important and will ultimately lead to a successful unit.
"The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team." –Phil Jackson
NBA coach Phil Jackson inspired his players with the above words, but first responders and servicemembers could draw from it, too. Jackson's quote serves to remind people that not only are they important to the team on an individual level, but that the team is crucial to their personal success, as well.
"Unity is strength. When there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved." –Mattie Stepanek
The American poet Mattie Stepanek spoke these words to motivate people to work together for a bigger goal. Stepanek's verbage can be applied to both military and emergency service workers, too. The wonderful things that can be achieved by a military unit or first responder squad working as a team might be a successful mission or the saving of someone's life.
Teamwork is vital to running a successful station house or base. In the tough situations that military servicemembers and first responders are faced with every day, they must be able to rely on their team members for strength and support. By displaying some of these quotes where members of your unit will see them regularly, you can inspire a more cohesive and unified team.
Television is the window into different lives for many viewers. Sitcoms, dramas and reality shows give audiences the chance to experience an adventure they would not otherwise have the opportunity to. Recently, AFBA did an article called "5 of television's most popular shows based on military life." However, first responders get a good amount of airtime as well. In the following shows, television viewers are taken along for ambulance rides, police chases and fire rescues.
1. "Chicago Fire"
This weekly drama is a whirlwind mixture of the professional and personal lives of a Chicago fire squad. The show follows fictional firefighters Matthew Casey and Kelly Severide as they work to keep the Windy City safe. "Chicago Fire" is currently in its fourth season.
2. "Sirens"
This show is another one that takes audiences through the streets of Chicago. However, instead of experiencing them through the eyes of a fire crew, the viewers get a comical look into the experiences of a ragtag bunch of emergency medical technicians. The show's humorous approach to the odd day-to-day calls ambulance workers receive was enough to get it renewed for another season. "Sirens" is currently entertaining audiences in its second season.
3. "Rescue Me"
For seven seasons, Denis Leary wowed viewers with his performance as Tommy Gavin. Though the show is peppered with Leary's dry humor, "Rescue Me" tackles some very serious issues that firefighters face. Tommy must overcome alcoholism, work to bond with his estranged family all while maintaining his composure at the head of his fire crew.
4. "CHiPs"
Originally airing on September 15, 1977, this police procedural was one of television's most popular show's of the time. For six seasons, "CHiPs" was known for its high speed car chases and light humor. Audiences tuned in to watch Officers Frank Llewellyn "Ponch" and Jon Baker as they patrolled the streets of Los Angeles. This show laid the groundwork for many police-based shows that came after it.
5. "Emergency"
Following the firefighters of Squad 51 and the medical staff of Rampart General Hospital, this show takes audiences through the processes of several different levels of first responders. From 1972 to 1980, "Emergency" was one of the entertainment industry's biggest hits.
Television is an entertainment medium. but it can also be used as a way for audiences to experience lives that are completely different from their own. The shows above allow people the opportunity to see what life is like for a first responder from the comfort of their own couches.