A few members of my team and I just finished a week of interviews for the position of firefighter trainee. We are looking for more than thirty people to join our fire family for the next 25 to 30 years. Who do we hire? These are big decisions not only for our department but also for the candidates seeking the position. In the 50+ people we interviewed this week, I met the future Fire Chief. I also met their Senior Deputy, another Deputy Chief or two, certainly a few Battalion Chiefs, several Captains, an EMS Educator, two or three Fire Training Officers, and lots of Engineers and Paramedics. I could see their future in our organization while they spoke of what they have done to prepare for the job of Firefighter Trainee and why they want to join the service.
Selfishly, it brought me great hope for the immediate, mid- and long-range futures of our organization. It’s easy to get caught up in the drama of the day, whether external or internal politics and drama. My days blur with shifting priorities, internal and external customer needs, striving for excellence, strategic planning, lack of funding, chasing accreditation, and personnel management. It can be challenging to find victories and moments of celebration amongst all the still-have-to’s and why’d-you-do-it-that-way’s. I had the privilege of spending over thirty hours listening to one ambitious and driven candidate after another. I had the privilege of listening to their stories, to their lessons learned along their quest for the position of firefighter trainee with our organization. I had the privilege of learning about our organization through the young-hopeful’s of our community, and it was inspirational, giving me the boost I needed to keep plugging away and getting work done. When I was on the streets, I found purpose on each and every call. I saw the relief in my patient’s eyes when I walked in the door and I slept soundly knowing I made a difference.
Unselfishly, I know the value of the offer they seek from us, to be a firefighter trainee. Getting onto the fire department is the metaphorical equivalent to the Golden Ticket from Willy Wonka, it’s the opportunity of a lifetime and has the potential to change a person’s life forever, perhaps for generations to come. The fire service has given me all that I have. Throughout my time in the service, my organization has provided me with the benefits, opportunities, and sustenance to raise my children, obtain college degrees, gain one certification after another, promote, travel, and live a life of fulfillment both in salary and purpose. I have acquired a second family and made life-long friends. If that isn’t the Golden Ticket, I don’t know what is. I am eternally grateful for my Golden Ticket, and like Willy Wonka, will carefully select those that will care for my organization after my last days because I love this place, Oompa Loompas and all.
Sarah J McCrea-Dameron 