August 31 – “Fire Department Proud”

I have been pretty proud of my Galveston Fire Department family the last few days.  On Wednesday most of the active station crews (including Nathan who was on duty at station four) responded to a fire out in Bay Harbor.  It was across the canal from Seasider Sam’s house, in fact.  She started texting me soon after she began smelling smoke and hearing sirens.  Jamaica Beach Volunteer Fire Department responded as well, so Lauren and some of her cohorts were on hand.  As it turned out, the house was struck by lightning.  I heard that this was the second time the same house had been struck.  Weird.  There was a problem at the scene right away, though.  The fire fighters couldn’t follow their usual procedure of fighting the fire using ladders and the ladder truck to spread water from above.  Why?  Because the continuing threat of lightning would place them in further danger.  As a result the fire spread so rapidly that the roof caved in and the house was a total loss.  All the crews did a great job, though ... as usual. 

Then last night was our annual pinning ceremony.  New hires were sworn in and “officially” received their badges.  That’s always a highlight, as the new guys get to choose who they want to be the one to pin on the badge.  I have seen moms and dads and brothers and sisters and wives and children and girlfriends and mentors and even our fire chief do the honors over the years.  Oh, and promotions were also granted.  We have a new battalion chief, two new captains, and two new engineers.  The city secretary was on hand to swear them all into their new positions. 

The Chief Wisko also acknowledged and awarded numerous commendations for service to the community and the department.  Everything from a fire fighter who performed the Heimlich Maneuver and saved his captain’s life at the firehouse when the captain was choking, to a crew that rescued a dog trapped in a canal in very cold water, to an engineer who saw and rescued a dog from underneath a burning house, to to a crew who went door to door throughout their district after a rare freeze, locating unoccupied homes with broken pipes and turning off their water at the street for them.  Pretty creative “FD Ministry Action” if you ask me.

Chief Nim Kidd was the guest speaker.  He is in charge of the state emergence response network.  That group coordinates responses by crews from all over the state to areas with a high degree of special need.  Hurricanes Ike and Harvey and the recent fires in California are examples of times that network is initiated.  In fact, if I understood correctly, our Galveston guys have been deployed no less than eight times since January.  Chief Kidd is an ex-firefighter, so he seemed to really connect with the guys as he encouraged them in their new pursuits with the department.

Chief Wisko recognized several special guests from different city departments who have been especially helpful to the department over the past year.  And of course he gave a special nod to Administrative Assistant Trish (aka, The Real Boss) for handling all the behind the scenes groundwork. 

And of course the GFD Honor Guard did their usual crisp and professional job of presenting the colors.

Like I said, this week has been yet another time for me to proud to get to serve as chaplain for these fine organizations (GFD and JBVFD). 

Psalms 96:7 says, “Ascribe to the Lord, O families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.”

Father, thank you for these men and women who have given their lives to serving others in a frankly very dangerous way.  Keep them safe.  And walk with their families, granting them a spirit of peace and an enhanced ability at encouragement so they can support their own personal fire fighter.  Amen.