The Essence of Brotherhood: A Reflection on Unity and Service
Exploring the concept of tribes, brotherhood, and the virtues upheld by firefighters and paramedics. Delving into the profound bonds and responsibilities shared among these select individuals, transcending gender, race, religion, and culture. The narrative contemplates the intrinsic values of selflessness, accountability, and companionship that define these noble professions and shape the very essence of their beings.
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The Character Within The American Firefighter Contributions Of the Old and the New
What Is a TRIBE anyway ? Maybe in its simplest form the tribe is a group of people occupying some form of territory and indulging specifically in unity deriving with numerous similarities, frequent common contacts with certain interest in their philosophies and ethos. Members take pride in their language and purpose and keep at bay all outsiders and in some cases perceive many as enemies of their existence.
The thing that gave us the direct confidence and decision making abilities to go rushing in to places that others were rushing out of in terror; because those of us charging forward knew we were not going into the dangers alone. Brother to my right, brother to my left. Are we loosing the concept? Are we in it for ourselves and are inflated egos that think we can avoid personal accountability?, a pass to behave inappropriately because we think we are brothers within a cause?
Not a Matter of Receiving But Rather A Matter of Giving Not A Matter of Avoiding Responsibility Rather A Matter of Accepting Responsibility Not A Matter of Being Forgiven of Any Sin, Rather A Matter of Avoiding Sin
Brotherhood: Not A Term Defined By Gender, Race, Religion or Culture
The Select Individuals Of First In Responders Military and Paramilitary Bestowed upon those that earned it and lived up to it. Individuals that served others but most importantly are by each others side no matter how tough things get.
It shapes us as firefighters and paramedics but it unknowingly transforms us as individuals in our personal lives.
You must rise to the level of trust in which another places their life unquestionably Into your hands. Your inner self must be transformed into serving throughout your career. This profession of servitude changes us.
Never dishonor our brothers by our actions or words that would make it impossible for you to ever be in their presence again; losing your brothers through dishonor is and always will be an open wound never healing in your consciousness throughout your life.
Peoples worse days our entrusted to us to try and make things better. This is the essence of our purpose when arriving into their lives of complete vulnerability. They without question trust that we will be honorable and ethical.
Our position within our brotherhood leads people to a higher purpose. Its called Value Based Leadership . Now in this day and age its falling apart. Firefighter charged: Theft, Violence, Pornography, even Murder etc. What Happened?? Ethics and Trust
Brotherhood Encompasses Ethics and Trust Loyalty and Honor HONOR IS THE COMMON THREAD IN BROTHERHOOD We are expected to be held to a higher standard than the general public.
Many of us sacrificed through years of being tested to eventually be accepted or hired by our departments. Vocation Not Occupation
The Profession of Honor Reflecting Our Fighting Nature, Bravery, esprite de corps, Tenacity In The Face of Dangers.
We May Be Looked Upon as Eagles But Lately We May Be Flying With Pigeons
We Need The Strongest of Morale and Ethical Fiber In Our Brotherhood Our Society Should View Us and Our Profession As Those They Rely Upon In Their Hour of Need In Whom They Trust Above All Else.
Bravery we are accustom to it, to be brave is in our natural course of actions for those in need. The real bravery is being noble, honorable and doing the right thing on and off the battlefield of life.
Brotherhood comes from deep within you and attracts others to come fourth who believe in who we are and what we aspire to be. Those that wear this badge know why we are here.
On or Off Duty Walk The Walk Do what you love, love what you do, leave your mark through humility and serve without ego. Live life and when its your time to leave this profession leave it better than the way you found it.
The seasoned veteran shakes his head wondering what happen with the new recruits coming in. The new incoming need to understand that the seasoned veteran is present to protect the brotherhood so it continues with honor and integrity. Also to provide the ins and outs in training and staying alive in this dangerous profession.
The Invisible But Tangible In the heart of what we do, our knowledge, our craft, our heritage, traditions and survival. Our Bodies: The importance of your health. Also teach the new recruits pacing and moderation not just full speed ahead. Brute strength is nothing without training and technique. Teach them the long haul of the job.
Never rely on what you know to be the end all to be all. Seek out knowledge and understanding. In this vocation you are a student of the game for life. Feed Your Brain.
Character Is Moral and Intangible Character grows over time. We use our character through experiences to help us attend to our skills in firefighting. Our character reveals are willingness to train and learn from others. Our character reveals who we are inside and out.
YOUR SPIRIT Know one can teach you the spirit within yourself and your spirit in firefighting. You need to find it and cultivate it in your growth in living this career. Your spirit will be fed to you by others. You need to use what's given to you to further the mission of firefighting and your life.
Trust with others begins with trust within and your core values. Trust will always be earned based in creditability through character and competence.
No gap between intent and behavior; the same inside and out; listening to the voice of conscience. Congruent with ones belief systems. What are your Principles?
The willingness to see the world through not from a pedestal but on the level with others. Being more concerned about what is right than being right. Embracing truth. Defending established truths. Recognizing contributions versus being recognized for achievements or valor. No place for arrogance and pride that feeds into egos. Placing oneself above others serves no one.
Doing the right thing even when its hard. It tests all your virtues. Make and keep commitments on and off the battlefield. Stand for something. Challenge the fabric of your thoughts to make progress.
The Brotherhood Has No Place For Greed and Egos Which Destroys The Wealth Of Our Profession. Trust and Integrity Brings Prosperity.
INTENT What Is The Motivation Behind Your Intent? Caring About The Interest And Well Being of Others. What Is Your Agenda? Wanting The Best For All. Mutual Benefit. Wanting Others and Yourself To Win On and Off The Battlefield While Still Being Their For Your Brother and Sister, Bringing Everyone Home. Behavior Is The Manifestation of Motive and Agenda. Behavior Demonstrates Our Meanings and Sincerities.
Those That Blazed The Trail and Continuously Raised The Quality of Our Service. We Stand Here and Now On the Backs and Shoulders Of Those That Came Before. Those That Come After Us Must Stand On Our Backs and Shoulders In Our Proud and Selfless Tradition.
LT. MIKE MASON (Ret.) SQD 2 /TRK 2 DGFD Speaker/Author/Fire Engineering Director RICOFIRERESCUE INC. Lt. Mike Mason mike@ricofirerescue.com 630-973-9341
