Archive: Opinions

Most people don't give a second thought to our fire department unless they have a fire or a medical emergency.  It's the kind of think you hope you never have to think about, but are glad it's there if you do.  Some people complain about the tax money that goes to the department.  But I think Lansing has the best deal going.

Imaging interrupting your own life 143 times -- night, day, during work and family dinners and events -- in a year to go help save someone else's home.  In addition imagine spending hours away from your own home and family training and maintaining fire trucks and equipment.  Larry Creighton did that last year.  That is serious dedication to a largely thankless job!  Oh wait a minute -- it isn't his job.  He's a volunteer.  And he's not the only one.

That's why I consider being invited to the annual Lansing Fire Department Banquet is an honor.  I love seeing these men and women being recognized for the sacrifices they make to keep our community safe.  I love seeing them have an evening off to just enjoy themselves.  And it's fun to see them dressed to the nines (which you won't see in the four town fire stations)!

These people risk life and limb, spend countless hours training and responding to emergencies -- 841 of them in 2012 -- and in the fire stations.  Their officers, also volunteers, are fairly buried in state paperwork on top of interfacing with the public and managing the department that is part hierarchy, and part democracy.  As a group they give more to the community, participating in the high school accident enactments to help prevent drunkenness and bad decisions on prom night, and inviting second graders to Central Station or visiting Kindergarteners to teach them fire safety.

As for the money, if we had to pay fire and medical responders I'd guess we'd have to pay three times as much as we currently do.  Even if they do spend a little more on equipment they don't need (and I am not saying they do.  My opinion is that they get what they need) it should be worth it to town residents.  And frankly I think we owe them a constant supply of pizzas and sodas as well.

As I watched these local heroes at the banquet last weekend I thought it is a shame that the whole community couldn't be there to help honor these folks.  I liked seeing their obvious camaraderie and pride in what they do and eachother.  We should all see who they are and know what they do for all of us.  They don't get paid for it.  I am sure they do it for all kinds of reasons, but the end result is that Lansing is kept safe at a low cost by truly dedicated men and women who are literally our neighbors.  We should all thank them.

v9i4