On Oct. 11, Tony Constanzo completed his mission to run across Texas in honor of fallen first responders. Constanzo was inspired to make the journey so that people would remember the sacrifice of first responders everywhere. Battling shin splints, blisters and many more ailments, Constanzo pushed on to complete his mission, drawing inspiration from the sacrifice of his fallen comrades.
"I want to make sure we never forget them. As a 31-year firefighter I don't want to ever forget them," Constanzo told Fox 13 News.
The former firefighter ran over 420 miles, according to the news source. During his journey, he raised awareness for Footsteps for the Fallen, an organization he founded to remember all fallen first responders and honor their families. His run also served as a fundraiser to provide scholarships for children of first responders who died in the line of duty.
Along the route, he stopped at museums and took in the sights. While he is proud of his accomplishment, Constanzo told Fox 13 News that he does not plan to run again next year. Instead, he is hoping to complete a road trip, during which he would order two beers at every bar he stopped at and leave one for a fallen first responder.
When football players take the field, they are usually deep in their own thoughts and focus. They may be psyching themselves up for the game or running through assignments in their head. However, one high school football player in Louisiana recently chose to direct his attention to the veterans in attendance at the game.
Chase Hill, #83 on the Parkway High School team, left his teammates as they were rushing onto the field for the second half to individually thank all the veterans who were at the game. The Oct. 9 game in Bossier Parish, Louisiana, was dedicated to servicemembers, veterans and first responders. However, Hill took the time to shake every veteran's hand and thank them for their service.
According to KSLA 12 News, one of the people at the game took a photo of Hill's actions and posted it to the Bossier Parish Police Department Facebook page. The photo quickly went viral, receiving thousands of comments and shares, all of them praising Hill's respect for the veterans.
The Daily Caller reported that the police department praised Hill on their website, calling him a class act.
Many U.S. citizens proudly fly the American flag in show of support for the country and its servicemembers. One Pennsylvania woman wanted to create a flag that would also show support for first responders.
Lillian Germaine of West Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has always had a deep respect for the first responders in her community, according to New Castle News. The 84-year-old recently decided to take her admiration of police officers, firefighters and emergency medical service workers to the next level. Germaine partnered with her nephew, a graphics artist, to design a flag that represented all branches of first responders.
"I always had flags in my yard," she told the news source.
Germaine went on to say that she was never able to find one that represented first responders in a way that she wanted. That was when she decided to start an organization called CIntoG. Through her nonprofit, she raised all the money to create her flag and distribute her flag. Germaine and her nephew plan to sell their products in the ceremony-worthy banner size of 5-by-8-foot and the more personal 3-by-5 foot size.
She hopes to use the local event Light-Up-Night on Nov. 12 to spark a major interest in her work.
According to New Castle News, all profits from Germaine's flag sales will be donated to local first responders.
First responders often describe their units as "teams." This is an excellent analogy because it inspires trust and comradery in a difficult work event. However, no team is successful without a strong and reliable leader. If it is your job to be that leader, here are a few tips to help your improve in your role:
1. Give respect
You have likely heard the old adage, "You have to give respect to get it." This is especially true for first responders who must rely on each other in a stressful environment. You must establish an atmosphere of respect between your co-workers and treat their concerns and opinions with the time they deserve so they will be willing to do the same for you. Creating a mutual air of respect can translate into a smoother operating system in the field.
2. Inspire optimism
Inevitably, situations will arise that lower the morale of your team. It is your job to be a pillar of optimism. If your co-workers notice that you approach every day with a positive attitude, they will be more likely to follow suit. Try to encourage your team to practice positivity regularly. This may build a healthier mentality amongst the group.
3. Be prepared to shoulder responsibility
One of the greatest attributes of a strong leader is the ability to step up whenever needed. This can mean accepting the praise for a job well done and remaining humble. Yet, it can also mean accepting the blame for a mistake made by the unit. As a leader, it is your job to prove that you are willing to take the criticisms and compliments without letting it effect your ability to perform your duties.
4. Communicate with your co-workers
People are less likely to follow someone they do not feel comfortable opening up to. As we noted in a previous blog post, it's important to establish open communication with your team. Let them know that you are there if they need to talk. You should also be willing to share with your co-workers sometimes. This is not a display of vulnerability. It is an expression of trust.
5. Lead by example
Everything you do is being scrutinized by your team. From the time you show up to work until the time you go home, they are looking to you as a role model. However you want your unit to behave, that is how you should act. Come into work a little early and stay until the job is done. Keep your uniform and equipment in excellent condition. Bring with you the attitude that every day is a clean slate, and you have the power to make it a success.
Because first responders have such challenging careers, it is important that they have someone in their team to look up to. If it is your responsibility to assume a leadership role, make sure you become the strongest leader you can. Your team is counting on you for support and guidance. By understanding what defines a good leader and adhering to those qualities, you can be the leader your co-workers need.
Recently, Beaufort County in South Carolina has been witness to historic flooding. Heavy rains and thunderstorms flooded the area, but the dangerous conditions and high waters did not stop local first responders from suiting up for work.
According to WNCT 9 News, the water in some areas was over several feet deep and filled with debris. None of the areas have been declared disaster zones yet, so the emergency workers plan to continue searching for residents in need of help until the announcement is made.
The first responders who spoke to the news source said that going into the flooded areas was more than just about rescuing those in trouble. It was also a scouting mission to gauge the conditions and report back to other rescue crews. These efforts will help protect residents and other first responders.
"We just want to make sure everybody is safe going to, during a call, and then come back from the call," Brian Lanning, a captain with Chocowinity Fire, told WNCT 9 News.
The emergency professionals are working through the rain and storms to make sure everyone gets to safety, and they have requested that everyone take the situation seriously and act with caution.
First responders understand tight knit communities and stressful job situations. Perhaps that is why these professionals are often the first to offer support to veterans. In Dearborn, Michigan, the firefighters and police officers show their support every year at a charity softball game.
The first responders use the proceeds from this event to sponsor veteran support groups like the American Legion Michigan Wounded and the Returning Warrior Program. Both programs help veterans with their transition to life after service. The goal this year was to raise $13,000 for these organizations.
According to Press & Guide, the first responders formed one team called Guns n Hoses and challenged the team of veterans from as far back as World War II.
"The best part about this game is the comradery between the departments," police officer Jason Skoczylas told the news source. "Competition brings out the best in people, makes you work hard, keeps you physically active and we're having fun, it's fun to get together like this."
Rainy skies and chilly weather hindered attendance slightly, but supporters still showed up to cheer on the local heroes and encouragethe returned servicemembers. The game was a close one with the teams being tied for most of the game, and the participants told Press & Guide that it was a fun time.
New Carlisle, Ohio, is a town known for its patriotism. Every year, the community hosts the Heritage of Flight Festival, a 3-day community gathering that celebrates the area's flight history. This year's event, which also marked the celebration's 11th year, featured a ceremony called The Blessing of the Badges. Dozens of local first responders showed up to have their badges prayed over by a local chaplain. Firefighters, first responders and emergency medical service workers lined up in hopes of receiving divine protection on the job.
The blessings took about 40 minutes and were slightly formal.
However, when the event was over, the first responders took to the streets to cut loose and perform a fun dance routine. The popular song "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)" blared through the square while 20 of the 75 first responders in attendance performed a dance number to accompany it.
The Dayton Daily News reported that the Clark County Sheriff's deputies and Bethel Fire Department members were some of the first members to start the routine.
Spectators smiled and filmed the uniformed men and women shaking their groove things. Check out the video of the first responders' dance here.
First responders serve their communities on a daily basis, but because they are so busy protecting their friends and neighbors, they do not always have a chance to bond with them. The people of Nolanville, Texas, wanted to change this by organizing the town's first civilian vs. first responder baseball game.
"The goal of the event is to bring awareness to the community of National Night Out, to promote our event, and to strengthen first responder-community relationships," Nolanville Police Department corporal Heather Worsdale told the Harker Heights Herald.
As part of National Night Out, a nationwide event intended to get families out of their homes and to encourage bonding with the first responders in their communities, the baseball game will be held on Oct. 5. Firefighters, police officers and emergency medical service workers from Nolanville and the surrounding areas formed the first responders' team while local residents of every age made up the civilians' team.
The event will be held in the city park and is free to anyone who is interested in attending. There will also be block parties, food vendors and family-friendly activities in addition to the baseball game.
The New York Military Academy was founded in 1889 and has fostered such graduates like Donald Trump, Stephen Sondheim, Francis Ford Coppola and many more. However, The New York Times reported that the school had been having trouble with enrollment, and those difficulties resulted in the academy having to declare Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in March. The news source continued by writing that the NYMA did not open to students in September, as it had promised.
Soon after, it went up for sale at a bankruptcy auction. The academy was purchased by Research Center on Natural Conservation, a Chinese-owned nonprofit company. The organization paid about $16 million for the 113-acre property.
Many of the instructors and heads of the school were pleased with the purchase, as it meant their institution was saved from closure. They did not seem upset by the military academy, which has produced many officers and soldiers over the years, going under the control of foreign investors.
The Research Center on Natural Conservation has stated that it intends to reopen the school to students soon and may even invite Chinese students to the U.S. to study on the campus.
On May 10, the Delmont Volunteer Fire Department in Delmont, Pennsylvania, lost a newer portion of its fire station and much of its equipment to the Mother's Day tornado that swept through the area. According to The Argus Leader, the EF-2 twister destroyed 17 miles of the town in just 30 seconds. Recently, an anonymous donation was made to help the fire department rebuild the section it lost.
A couple from Sioux Falls addressed a letter to the state fire marshal talking about the destruction they had witnessed after the tornado. The letter included a gold coin with an estimated value of $1,300.
"Sometimes it is the small things that are so important," read the note that came with the donation. "Not many people do the small things. We can't do much, but maybe this will give other people who can't do much a realization that if we all do a little – bit things will be accomplished."
The firefighters of the Delmont Volunteer Fire Department plan to use the money to purchase new fire suits, equipment and make the final repairs to their station.
The members of the crew told the news source that they were extremely grateful for the donation.