Have
you ever had a life-changing experience? Usually life-changing
events are created by a significant event that occurs in relationships,
finances, tragedy, etc. Everyone who cognitively experienced 9/11
went through a significant life-changing event. All of our lives
were changed forever by that event.
In October of 1987, during my 3rd year of fire service, I had
one of those events. We were dispatched to a one million square
foot warehouse. Upon first assessment, it seemed it would be a
simple task to knock down the fire in the racks at the south end
of the building. By the time we connected the pre-connect line
and pulled the nozzle to the center of the warehouse, the fire
had grown in intensity and the lights began to go out. Things
began to go bad at a frenzied pace. We began to put water on a
wall of fire. It was like Jack Sparrow looking into the mouth
of the giant octopus monster at the end of Pirates of the Caribbean
II. Yes, we were charging hell with a squirt gun.
All of a sudden a line of fire coming from the ceiling down the
isle knocked my helmet and SCBA mask off as it shoved me to the
floor. In those days the only gear we wore was a helmet, bunker
coat, hip boots and cotton gloves.
As we struggled to get to our feet, we found we were literally
standing in the middle of the fire protected only by the wide
cross isle we happened to be standing in. All I could remember
was my training to stay with the line. It's your life-line out.
We crawled on the line tracing our way out. More of the roof collapsed
on us as we desperately strived for life. Then finally a glimpse
of the engine lights outside. We dove out the door in a billowing
cloud of black smoke into the arms of other wide-eyed firefighters.
We're safe…we're alive!
Did my life change forever? You bet! Did our department learn
and grow from lessons learned from this fire? Yes! Did we do some
things right and some things wrong? Definitely! Were we lucky?
EXTREMELY! This was a significant event that was the beginning
of life long change for me and our department.
Last month Charleston, SC had a significant life-changing event.
We lost nine of our brave brothers in the fire service. Life for
many families, in this department, in this town, in this State,
in this service will never be the same. It can be so easy to sit
back and be an armchair quarterback and play what-would-I-have
done! Did they do things right? Yes! Did they possibly do some
things wrong? Maybe! We all do, on almost every incident, and
a lot of times we're just lucky! But the most important part about
significant events is that we learn and grow from them. We must
turn difficult times and even tragedies into positive life altering
victories. Otherwise, they become extremely destructive and even
debilitating. I hope in the healing process that Charleston, when
the time is right for them, will share with us the lessons learned,
good and bad, so that we may grow from their experiences; so that
these men did not die in vain; but that through their courageous
sacrifice, we may continue to grow and become better professional
firefighters.
But for now, our prayers are that God's peace, comfort, and provision
will abide on the many that are hurting from this significant
event. I hope that in time healing will restore them to the place
where the light of those lost will shine brightly as a beacon
of hope and love from a courageous brother and sisterhood who
have championed the oath to protect life and property; that their
lives will be brightened by the memories of their loved ones who
unselfishly stood fast to their dedication and commitment to that
oath.
Jeff Tokar
FETN Director of Education
TWL Knowledge Group Jeff.Tokar@TWLK.com
972-309-5065, 1-800-624-2272 ext. 5065
Have
you ever had a life-changing experience? Usually life-changing
events are created by a significant event that occurs in relationships,
finances, tragedy, etc. Everyone who cognitively experienced 9/11
went through a significant life-changing event. All of our lives
were changed forever by that event.
