Written to the Editor of the Derry News 2/22/08

I am the loved one of one of the brave and courageous firefighters in Derry .
 
I cannot tell you how many times I've sat at home crying because I know that he is at a fire and could be hurt, or how many times I've gone hours without hearing from him....and why?  Because he's doing his job?  No, because it's his way of life.
 
Do you have a job that you love because….. it's not WHAT you are, but WHO you are?  Do you complain about an 8 hour work day? Do your families get upset if you are late for dinner? At least you're there.  
 
Do you get irritated because of a car horn or dog barking in the middle of the night? Try a loud tone going off at 2am because someone could be hurt?  
 
Do you look into your loved ones eyes or hug them tight EVERY TIME you leave for work because you may never come home again?  
 
Firefighters SHOULD have one of the best healthcare plans……every day they could get hurt or burned.  Have you ever burned your finger?  What about burning 10% of your body or more?  
 
Don't think about the firefighter if that's what your problem is…..think about me and my daughters…..think about what we'll go through because he was protecting YOUR life.
 
TWO DAYS.  That's 48 hours.  That's 8 hours more than the average person works in FIVE days. Even when they are in bed, they aren't sleeping like you are.  They sleep with one eye open, basically waiting for those tones to go off.  
 
It takes special people to be firefighters… .and strong ones to be their loved ones. The sad thing is that no matter what, if you hate or don't support them and that tone goes off with YOUR address, they will be there…..to do whatever it takes to save YOUR life, YOUR loved ones life, YOUR child's life, YOUR pet, YOUR home.
 
What is that worth to YOU?
 
To him, it's worth risking his life.  

Melissa Whitehead

 

Posted in the Derry News:

Hats Off

To the police dispatcher and the fire rescue who came to our house at 3:30 in the morning in answer to our call that my husband was having a heart attack: Your kindness and expert care will always be appreciated. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Gayle Beland and Jack Dartnell.