Post by frankj3 on Apr 18, 2013 22:59:49 GMT -5
For what it's worth.............
Being a retired Certified Texas Volunteer Fireman, I have been through some tough incidents. One in particular took me years to finally get over. But this is not about me.
As a fireman, emt, police officer or dispatcher, you practice, practice and practice for every conceivable catastrophe. But no matter how much, or how hard you train, you can't be ready for EVERYTHING! That's a fact the emergency responder accepts. But still, they prepare.
I'm sure the West Volunteer Fire Department had completed a pre-plan for fighting a fire at the fertilizer plant. They were "prepared".....I'm sure. But they were not prepared for the intensity, volatility and explosive forces they witnessed first hand. No one could have been. It goes without saying that we are all praying for the missing first responders and citizens of West.
But please also keep the surviving first responders in your prayers. They may act like this was just a large incident that they trained for many times over.....but deep inside they are hurting. They lost friends and family members in this horrible incident. But being true professionals and local heros, they continued to follow their training and instincts to do what was needed to get this all under control and help their community, friends and family.
They may never tell anyone what they feel......or they may tell their dog...like I did. It helped me get through my tragedy because I knew my dog would keep my feelings a secret. The responders and their families will need help......emotionally and professionally. Most of all, they will need God's help. He will get them through this tragedy.
I know the pain they will be feeling in the near future. This will be a pain they never dreamed they would have to bear. They will relive this tragedy daily.....seeing the citizens of West injured, deceased and possibly missing for ever more. Closure will be hard to come and will take them each on their own journey to healing.
But the pain they will have the hardest time getting over is the loss of their fellow fire fighters and police officer. The brotherhood they shared is a most remarkable, rewarding, fulfilling brotherhood. To say they are a close knit group is an understatement. If you are not a first reponder then you have no idea what I'm talking about. Trust me when I say it takes a VERY special person to be a first responder.......especially in these days and times.
So I am asking each and everyone of you to pray fervently for the first repsonders in West, TX. And while you are at it, please include first repsonders all over.
"Grant unto them eternal rest oh Lord and let Your perpetual light shine upon them. Amen."
Being a retired Certified Texas Volunteer Fireman, I have been through some tough incidents. One in particular took me years to finally get over. But this is not about me.
As a fireman, emt, police officer or dispatcher, you practice, practice and practice for every conceivable catastrophe. But no matter how much, or how hard you train, you can't be ready for EVERYTHING! That's a fact the emergency responder accepts. But still, they prepare.
I'm sure the West Volunteer Fire Department had completed a pre-plan for fighting a fire at the fertilizer plant. They were "prepared".....I'm sure. But they were not prepared for the intensity, volatility and explosive forces they witnessed first hand. No one could have been. It goes without saying that we are all praying for the missing first responders and citizens of West.
But please also keep the surviving first responders in your prayers. They may act like this was just a large incident that they trained for many times over.....but deep inside they are hurting. They lost friends and family members in this horrible incident. But being true professionals and local heros, they continued to follow their training and instincts to do what was needed to get this all under control and help their community, friends and family.
They may never tell anyone what they feel......or they may tell their dog...like I did. It helped me get through my tragedy because I knew my dog would keep my feelings a secret. The responders and their families will need help......emotionally and professionally. Most of all, they will need God's help. He will get them through this tragedy.
I know the pain they will be feeling in the near future. This will be a pain they never dreamed they would have to bear. They will relive this tragedy daily.....seeing the citizens of West injured, deceased and possibly missing for ever more. Closure will be hard to come and will take them each on their own journey to healing.
But the pain they will have the hardest time getting over is the loss of their fellow fire fighters and police officer. The brotherhood they shared is a most remarkable, rewarding, fulfilling brotherhood. To say they are a close knit group is an understatement. If you are not a first reponder then you have no idea what I'm talking about. Trust me when I say it takes a VERY special person to be a first responder.......especially in these days and times.
So I am asking each and everyone of you to pray fervently for the first repsonders in West, TX. And while you are at it, please include first repsonders all over.
"Grant unto them eternal rest oh Lord and let Your perpetual light shine upon them. Amen."
