Across our nation, an estimated 4.6 million individuals serve a population of 337 million. That means 1.4% serve 98.6%. We know these heroes as our First Responders. Police, fire, EMS, paramedics, and 911 dispatchers make up an elite portion of our society that we hope we will never need but we are certainly grateful for them when we do.
The average citizen in the community has no idea what is involved to perform their duties. From my perspective as the chaplain for the fire department and listening to how people think, the job is often reduced to a bunch of guys squirting water on a fire. They just get to use a bigger garden hose.
Very few people comprehend the hours of training necessary just to be on the fire grounds. There are certifications that need to be acquired: Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Haz Mat, EMT, and more. I proctor the exams, and I can’t tell you how many times the tests are failed, and the students must retake the exam. Those tests are difficult! Certifications must be renewed periodically. Then, there is the ongoing weekly training to hone skills and learn the latest techniques.
Stop and consider the emotional strain that’s on the firefighter. They typically see people having their worst day. They’ve seen death, holding the person in their arms as they take the final breaths. They’ve done countless rounds of CPR. Other gory and gruesome scenes could be told that the department faces. And it takes its toll.
Firefighters are a special breed of public servant. It’s not something you do for a little while. For most, it is a calling that they will do even beyond retirement years.
Vincent Dransfield, age 110, passed away on June 26, 2024. “At 21 years old, he joined the Singac Volunteer Fire Company No. 3 in Little Falls. He went on to serve at the fire department for over 80 years, acting as chief for eight years.”1 He was still responding to calls until 2019! He was responding to fires at the age of 105! Now, that’s dedication!
I know that I have focused on firefighters, but I believe these principles are true of all First Responders. Each department has dedicated individuals ready to serve even if it requires their life. Such service is truly remarkable and worthy of being recognized today.
Christians should consider themselves God’s First Responders. This requires us to put Romans 12:1 into practice. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
Once we have surrendered ourselves to God’s service, we are now looking for those in danger. The biggest danger are those slipping into the fires of hell. As God’s First Responders, Jude 1:21-23 says, “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (22) And of some have compassion, making a difference: (23) And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”
We also have a responsibility to each other because there are times where believers need to be rescued. Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 5:14, “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.”
First Responders are expected to exemplify their profession, both on and off duty. As Christians, we are never off duty. Again, to the Thessalonians, Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 2:10, “Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe.” And in 1 Thessalonians 4:12, he said, “That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.”
To our First Responders, we say thank you. To God’s First Responders, we say thank you. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)
1https://news.yahoo.com/news/nj-man-oldest-active-firefighter-164347191.html
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