The spring is a traditional time for many Fire Department installation ceremonies and dinners. It’s a cautious time for many PIO’s though. While these occasions should be a time to celebrate our department leadership and accomplishments, many in the community question the costs and motives of such events.
Drawing a visual picture that lies somewhere between a Romanesque orgie and the celebration of Attila the Huns birth, many citizens do not truly understand what one night out means to many firefighters and their loved ones.
Like clockwork, over the last several years, after I post pictures of our installation on the department website and have the story appear in the papers I am always confronted by people who feel this type of an event is a waste of money and encourages bad behavior.
I explain the following to naysayers –
Volunteer firefighting, unlike many other volunteer opportunities, is not limited to a few hours a week or month. We are on call 24/7 and if we take our responsibility seriously the fire department is always imprinted on our minds. It becomes part of our life and being. A day doesn’t go by when we do not think about the department and our responsibilities numerous times. We ask for very little in return, and the opportunity to have a night out to celebrate what we do is deeply appreciated.
The cost of the event is in the budget. The amount spent on installations is closely scrutinized and monitored.
Many family members hear about what we do at the fire house, who we befriend and how we operate, yet this is a remote experience. These types of events give our loved ones the chance to meet those we talk about, and hear from our officers about what we do. Our families also need a pat on the back for their commitment to our commitment to the fire service.
Installations and award dinners allow many of us to be honored in front of our peers and thanked for a job well done. This is our ultimate “paycheck.”
For those in the community who can’t understand this I feel truly sorry.
Also on The Fire PIO…
- Even the Walls have Ears – November 24, 2010
- How do I Address a Judge? – November 18, 2010
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