From the Fools International
"FUCK THE MUTTS... PROTECT THE BROTHERS"
A "Mutt" is someone or thing that will abuse and mistreat a Firefighter. This can be the City, the Mayor, the Chief in Charge, the habitual caller, or the homeless Person who starts a fire and leaves.
These are people that have never crawled down a hall or made the last room in an effort to do their job. If they can't get the job done today well maybe next week will do.
If we don't get the job done people might die and our brother and sister might also die. So we always lay it on the line and leave a little behind at every fire. I say that in a dark smoky hallway I can't tell the race, creed or sex of my fellow firefighter, I just know that they are with me. I don't care who or what you are as long as you are a firefighter and want to protect your brothers and sisters.
Leather forever. Stay low and let it blow!
FTM-PTB
Captain Mike Dugan, Ladder Co. 123, FDNY
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EGH - "EVERYBODY GOES HOME"
Author unknown, possibly Old Gallagher
"Although 'EGH, Everybody Goes Home' is not always possible, it is part of what we strive for. It is why we train, it is why we read, it is why we interact with each other. We need to share the knowledge. The more we share, the more we pass on what we have learned, the safer we will be. The fewer funerals we will have to go to, the more of our Brothers and Sisters that will go home. Because it is all about protecting each other". (Pressler, 2002)
RFB - "REMEMBER FALLEN BROTHERS"
Lieutenant Michael Ciampo, FDNY
"The Fire service, as a whole, is collectively still trying to recover from the effects of Sept. 11. The 343 members of the FDNY who made the supreme sacrifice that day will always be in our hearts and forever on our minds. As part of our FOOL’s “signature”, R-F-B, “Remember Fallen Brothers”, these heroes should never and will never be forgotten. This should also include ALL of our fallen Brothers, no matter where they were from, or the matter in which they died. Their names have been added to long list of those that have laid down their lives so that others may live."
(Pressler, 2002)
KTF - "KEEP THE FAITH"
Captain James L. Jester, Ocean City, MD
"Keep the Faith. With all that has happened we must believe. We must have faith in ourselves and in the others that think like us. They can transfer us, they can make you cut your mustache, the can tell you what you can’t wear on your helmet, but never let them break your spirit!" (Pressler, 2002)
DTRT - "Do The Right Thing"
Lieutenant Bob Pressler, FDNY, Retired
"With everything going on in our lives, both personnel and professional, this may be sometimes hard to do. We are always pulled in several directions when there are tough decisions to be made. Even after weighting all the possibilities or options, decisions are sometimes still very hard to make. But, under closer examination, there usually is a “right thing”. It may take personnel sacrifice, it may not be what you really would want to do, but it is the correct thing to do."
OBK - Our Brother's Keeper
(James Benjamin, Captain Glendale Fire)
After our tribute to our fallen brothers we began our round table discussion on RIT/RAT teams. A great deal of valuable information was discussed/dissected, which drove home the fundamental reason the FOOLS organizations exists. The FOOLS exist to help ensure that EVERYBODY GOES HOME (EBGH). It's not about career vs. PT, or who has the newest toy. It's about protecting our own and providing a place where open and free discussion can take place.
Please take a few minutes and reflect on the job we do and our “BROTHERS” who are no longer with us!
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Brotherhood
Firefighter Duke Juanitas
Eldridge Fire Dept.
Sonoma, Ca.
Bonds that even death can’t separate.
Responding on all sorts of calls, some good and some bad.
On every fire we trust each other with our lives.
Trust, that if we fall on the fire ground our brothers will be there to rescue us.
Humor is at every firehouse and is a big part of the job.
Every firehouse you go to, you will see your brothers in every firefighter you meet.
Remembering the pranks you have pulled on a “probie”.
How great it is to have a home away from home.
Off the job we are still family.
Our families are close.
Days, months, and even years will pass but don’t fret for we will meet again.
