Far too often, lost in the day-to-day routine calls, firehouse drama or daily grumbling, is the fact that we are all part of something very special – we are part of the great American Fire Service! Rich in tradition together with a strong heritage and endless stories of honor and sacrifice.

 

But, way too many in our ranks have no idea how the fire service has evolved to where it stands today. And, if you happen to mention Hackensack, Keokuk, Waldbaums or Adams Avenue you can be met with blank stares. So, every now and then we need to step back and pay homage to the past and talk about our roots and where we come from. We need to understand that our history is full of useful information and valuable lessons that need to be preserved and passed on so the new generation of firefighters don’t have to re-learn them. Properly telling the stories and sharing the lessons also honors the lives of our brothers and sisters who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

 

Legendary FDNY Chief Vincent Dunn summed it up best:

 

“There are no new lessons to be learned from a firefighter’s death or injury.

The Cause of a tragedy is usually an old lesson we have not learned from

or have forgotten along the way.”

 

 This is a fast moving and exciting presentation that ensures those lessons are not forgotten and the traditions, customs, fires, stories, names and sacrfices from yesteryear, all forged by fire, are not lost to the dust of time.