I like firemen (or should I say, fire people, for we now have a female firefighter working for the Bella Vista Fire Department).
Generally speaking, police officers are known for handing out tickets, while firefighters are known for helping people during their times of need.
That is not really a fair comparison, but it is true that firefighters are known for being there to help out when the need is present.
I remember working with a family whose home had exploded and burned to the ground. At first, we thought the owners were trapped inside the building, but fortunately they had been away at the time of the explosion.
However, it was a cold, rainy Sunday, and all of their belongings were destroyed, including a very large number of prescription drugs. Some of those drugs were needed immediately.
I well remember working with the fire chief to find a pharmacist willing to open up and re-order all of those drugs for this family, something that took hours to do. And, I also remember the many firefighters who worked hard and dangerously with the burned down house trying to find the owners before they showed up later.
I also remember how helpful the firefighters were when a fire caused the sprinkler to go off and soak everything in an apartment.
I was working with the occupant of the apartment, and found out that a very important computer and its equipment were in the apartment perhaps being destroyed by the water.
Since I was unable to enter the apartment because the cause of the fire had not yet been investigated, I mentioned the computer to the fireman in charge of investigating the fire.
Within a very short period of time, he emerged from the apartment with the computer under his arm, giving it to the apartment's occupant. He was so gracious and accommodating that everyone was both impressed and pleased.
I also remember a car going off the road behind Walgreen's and landing upside down in Sugar Creek with a driver trapped under water unable to extricate himself from his seat belt.
Although the accident occurred in another town's jurisdiction, and both county and state law enforcement personnel were present; it was our firefighters who did not hesitate to dive into the cold water and bring the individual up out of the water.
Those are good reasons to like firemen, but I also like to observe some of their training exercises.
That may seem a little strange, but consider that learning how to breathe from the tube leading to an oxygen tank is quite different from learning how to taze someone with a tazer or to overcome someone utilizing "pressure points."
Shortly after purchasing a fire truck with a very long ladder attached to it, it was a privilege to watch the firemen learn how to utilize it best and to climb the ladder all the way up 75 feet.
I remain grateful for the opportunity to climb that ladder with the firemen and look down upon Bella Vista.
Recently, I entered the parking area of the main fire station and observed the firemen building a long, enclosed pathway that had to be navigated while blindfolded.
Sometimes, firemen do not have the privilege of seeing where they are going in a burning building full of smoke. Thus, they practiced going through this pathway blindfolded.
You say you're not impressed. Well, it sure beats having to qualify with a less-lethal shotgun shooting a variety of projectiles to immobilize someone.
But those are not the only reasons why I like firemen. They always appear to me as a large family.
They live together (yes, there are always firemen at the fire station), cook and eat meals together, and remember to celebrate those special times in the lives of their members.
Last Christmas season, I happened to drop by the fire station in Town Center just to wish them all a Merry Christmas, and discovered that the entire Station One crew and family members were gathered around tables laden with great food.
They had decided to celebrate Christmas together over a meal, and it was evident they were enjoying themselves. And, they invited me to join them in the celebration.
Those are a few of the reasons why I like firemen. They are good people. And, I thought about that when I was asked to give the prayer at a graduation ceremony for some who graduated from their training program.
Thank you, firemen (men and woman) for being there when we need you.
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Box is the chaplain for the Bella Vista Police and Fire departments. The opinions expressed in this column don't necessarily reflect the views of the newspaper.
Editorial on 04/15/2015