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The Firefighter's Prayer
When I am called to duty, God, wherever flames may rage,
Give me the strength to save some life whatever be its age.
Help me embrace a little child before it is too late, or save an
older person from the horror of that fate.
Enable me to be alert and hear the weakest shout, and quickly and efficiently
to put the fire out. I want to fill my calling and to give the best in me,
to guard my every neighbor and protect his property.
And if according to my fate I am to lose my life this day,
Please bless with your protecting hand my family this I pray.
"MARSEILLES FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT"
I joined the Marseilles Fire Protection District on July 1st, 1977.
At that time there was technically two fire departments housed in one facility. There was the city fire department and the rural district. Several years later a vote was put to the residents to consolidate both departments into one. The referendum passed at a savings to tax payers in the city and rural district. Since that time there has been one Marseilles Fire Protection District. A board of trustees that is appointed by the county board governs the district. The trustees in turn appoint all officer's and firefighters.
Becoming a member of the fire protection district has been one of the most rewarding segments of my life, although almost every time the alert tone comes out it means dealing with a tragedy of some sort, whether it be an accident, fire, water rescue, drowning recovery, lost child, hazardous materials incident or some other types of rescue. In the end you are helping someone, and that gives one a feeling that is hard to describe. The times when you lose and no matter what you did a life is lost can be mentally challenging. However, you move forward and think about the times when you were successful.
The residents of the city as well as the rural fire district are very fortunate to have a highly trained, well-equipped fire department.
I am a Certified Firefighter II, Licensed Emergency Medical Technician, and a Certified Arson Investigator. I have received additional training in Fire Ground Operations, Hazardous Materials, Rescue, and National Incident Management System (NIMS) to highlight a few.
I have come up through the ranks from firefighter, to Captain, and am presently Assistant Chief. I am also an Emergency Medical Technician and the district’s Arson Investigator.
I am very proud that my son Aaron has decided to follow my footsteps and join the department. Aaron recently completed his Firefighter II Certification as well as his Emergency Medical Technician Training.
I hope Aaron finds his career with the department as rewarding as I have
What is a fireman?
He is the guy next door - a man's man with the memory of a little boy. He has never gotten over the excitement of engines and sirens and danger.
He is a guy like you and me with wants and worries and unfulfilled dreams.
Yet he stands taller than most of us.
He is a fireman.
He puts it all on the line when the bell rings.
A fireman is at once the most fortunate and the least fortunate of men.
He is a man who saves lives because he has seen too much death.
He is a gentle man because he has seen the awesome power of violence out of control.
He is responsive to a child's laughter because his arms have held too many small bodies that will never laugh again.
He is a man who appreciates the simple pleasures of life - hot coffee held in numb, unbending fingers - a warm bed for bone and muscle compelled beyond feeling - the camaraderie of brave men - the divine peace and selfless service of a job well done in the name of all men.
He doesn't wear buttons or wave flags or shout obscenities.
When he marches, it is to honor a fallen comrade.
He doesn't preach the brotherhood of man.
He lives it.
Author unknown
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