By Anita Benedict
There is a new video making its rounds on Facebook and it is a must watch.
I saw it the first time at the Municipal awards dinner and admit to getting a little choked up as I watched it. It was a volunteer firefighter recruitment video, created right here in East Hants.
“Everybody in the entire province, if you call 911 you expect somebody to show up,” begins the video.
“People don’t realize that that is just random people from their community that have stepped up to do that for them,” says another voice.
There are images of firefighters getting ready to head out on a call. These well trained, community members run towards danger in case of fire, car crashes and medical emergencies. We are so blessed to have them and yet, I know the men and women in our communities need new recruitments, some younger people to join the ranks to serve.
I am impressed with the dedication of the fire service. Every year we honour those who have served their local fire departments with the Long Service Firefighter award at the Municipal Volunteer Awards. Imagine, 30, 40 or 50 plus years of dedicating their time to the people of East Hants, getting out of bed at all hours, leaving work, you name it to run to the aid of their neighbours.
I have often thought of volunteering to be on traffic control, I hear it can get a bit dicey when people are told they can’t go past a scene. Imagine, getting up out of bed to hold a sign that will keep the firefighters, patients and expensive equipment safe from cars, only to be yelled at for being an inconvenience. I thought about it, and really the prospect did not scare me. Sometimes all people need is a reminder that the world is bigger than they are and someday it could be them needing help like this.
“I joined saying I am never going into a burning building, and now I am a Level 1 interior firefighter,” says that lovely young woman from the first of the video. She also said, “I know I can so I do.”
We are indeed lucky to have these local folks watching our back. If you have time to volunteer in any way, reach out to your local fire department. If you absolutely don’t have the time, then you can support the departments with donations and freely share that video. Every moment you give makes a difference to someone or someplace.
To learn more about volunteering with your local fire department visit easthantsfireservice.ca and if you come across that video shared by a friend, take a few moments, watch and share it yourself.
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