NFPA Journal - March/April 2018 - 70

First Responder by Ken Willette

DISPATCHES
FROM THE
EMERGENCY
RESPONDER
COMMUNITY

Taking Up
A FORMER FIRE CHIEF BIDS NFPA ADIEU, AND ISSUES A CALL FOR VIGILANCE ON
THE PROBLEMS OF FIREFIGHTER CANCER AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

irefighters use the term

remain sober until his retirement several
"taking up" to describe the
years later.
process they follow when
I share these stories because, after my
a fire is over, when it's
43-year journey, I've learned that the
time to repack the hose,
success of the fire service is about the
return the equipment to its proper place,
firefighters themselves-we are only as
and get the company back in service for
successful as the abilities of the indithe next call. After serving 35 years in the
vidual members of our small units and
fire service and eight more at NFPA, it's
company operations. If we do not manage
now my time to take up into retirement.
post-traumatic stress and limit occupaThis is my last column for NFPA Jourtional exposure to carcinogens to keep
nal, and I want to close with a look at
our people safe and healthy, we risk losing
what I consider to be the most important
our most critical assets. Organizations
issues facing firefighters today: cancer
like NFPA, the International Association
After my 43-year
and behavioral health.
of Fire Fighters, and fire service leaders
journey, I've learned
I'll never forget the day about 20 years
have a responsibility to take action to
that the success of the
ago when one of my closest shift mates
protect our firefighters, but we also need
fire service is about
told me he had cancer. Guido had just
firefighters to be willing to accept responthe firefighters
returned to the firehouse after recusibility for their behavior by maintaining
themselves-we are
perating for several weeks following
proficiency in their craft and adherence
only as successful
an off-duty accident, and as he walked
to best practices.
as the abilities of the
across the apparatus floor I could see that
We all have a responsibility to speak
individual members.
he was troubled. When I asked him what
up and help if we see a comrade sufferwas up, Guido said three words I'll never
ing from drug addiction, post-traumatic
forget: "Kenny, I'm dying." Guido gave it
stress disorder, or other behavioral health
his all and fought as hard and for as long
issues. Every firefighter has a personal
as he possibly could. Less than two years
responsibility to themselves, their familater, though, we hoisted him on top of Engine 1 and carried
lies, and their departments to limit their exposure to the toxic
him to his final resting place.
substances swirling in the environment during and after a fire.
Here's another moment I'll never forget. About five years
When I was elected president of the Fire Chiefs Association
into my career, I disobeyed an order by refusing an assignof Massachusetts, I thought it was the capstone event of my
ment as the jump seat rider in the engine I was assigned to,
career-the position offered me a chance to advocate for public
because the driver reported for duty under the influence of
safety funding and issues before the governor and leaders of the
alcohol. This firefighter was the best driver/operator on our
state Senate and House of Representatives. But joining NFPA
crew, but the job had taken a psychological toll. Fifteen years
and becoming involved in these important national and global
before, he'd responded to a fire where three young children
fire service discussions has eclipsed it. It has been a privilege
were trapped and could not be rescued, and the event had left
and an honor to have met thousands of responders, hear their
a lasting mark on him. His struggle with alcohol was known in
stories, and work to have their voices heard.
the department, but no one had refused to ride with him until
I hope your fire service journey is as blessed as mine has
that night. Within 20 minutes, he was sent home and directed
been. Safe travels!
to meet with the chief the next morning. What followed was
a concerted effort by the department and others to help him Ken Willette is first responder segment director at NFPA.

70 | NFPA JOURNAL * M A R C H /A P R I L 2 0 1 8

MICHAEL HOEWELER

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NFPA Journal - March/April 2018