!['One year ago today we lost our friend and brother, 35 years young, Daniel Corrigan.
Our hearts thoughts and prayers are with the Corrigan family today... and always.
Dan will always be remembered, he will never be forgotten and will forever live in the hearts of his brothers and sisters in the Santa Barbara City Fire Dept and his “OG” Fresno Fire Department.
On October 15th of this year Daniel Corrigan’s name will be inscribed on the California Firefighters Memorial in Sacramento.
Dan’s family will be in attendance and will be accompanied by members of the Santa Barbara City Fire and Fresno Fire Department to the ceremony.
Two national ceremonies to honor Dan and our other nation’s fallen firefighters will take place later this year: Colorado in September and Maryland in October.
Off duty firefighters from the Santa Barbara City Fire Department and Fresno Fire Department will be in attendance for all 3 memorial tributes.
Locally, plans are underway to dedicate a portion of the Santa Barbara City Fire Department Training Tower to Dan later this year.
We miss you Dan. Our hearts are still broken.
Rest easy Brother… until we all meet again on the “Top Floor”
Thanks for making the #BrotherhoodStrong
@[187557941277871:274:Brotherhood of Fire]
Post credit: Santa Barbara City Fire Department Information'](https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-0/p110x80/12814036_1106959129337743_8255783702221060159_n.jpg?oh=3a3ef53d498b9e3d4f8fb581f39464ba&oe=57605FF3)
!['* Justice for the families and friends of Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield
"American Disgrace" Eddie Ray Routh has been found guilty and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for shooting and killing Chris Kyle, the soldier of interest in the film "American Sniper", and his close friend Chad Littlefield.
The case went to the jury after a prosecutor said in his closing arguments that Routh, 27, acted coldly and deliberately in a deadly ambush of the pair at a Texas gun range in February 2013.
The jury of 10 women and two men had unanimously found him guilty of capital murder for killing Chris and his friend on a rural shooting range a little over two years ago.
Judge just put him away for good.
Justice served.
RIP Chris and Chad
Thanks for making our Country safer, and the #BrotherhoodStrong
@[187557941277871:274:Brotherhood of Fire]'](https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-0/s168x128/12798858_1106371222729867_5580426036001095808_n.jpg?oh=ec974190d1e6aec3848f3ed62a8f9542&oe=575D5C2F)
!['What will you do to remember... to commemorate the 15th Anniversary of September 11th, 2001?
How about a "Never Forget" flag or other item sold at the one and only @[140724975961396:274:9/11 Patch Project] store.
This is the ONLY patch authorized by the FDNY Fire Commissioner allowing FDNY to wear a "Never Forget" patch on their uniform.
www.9-11patchproject.org/order.html
#BrotherhoodStrong
@[187557941277871:274:Brotherhood of Fire]'](https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-0/s280x280/12821567_1105666732800316_8334932958402325724_n.jpg?oh=c5d19ba084b69175a027285727e73702&oe=5762CD34)
!['This year... 2016 will (believe it or not) be the 15th year Anniversary of 9/11.
What will you be doing this year to Never Forget?
This year I will be flying this flag... this EXACT flag.
This is the OFFICIAL @[140724975961396:274:9/11 Patch Project] flag
The "9/11 Patch Project" is the only NEVER FORGET patch authorized by the FDNY Fire Commissioner allowing FDNY Firefighters to wear THIS PATCH on their uniforms.
This full size flag (3 foot by 5 foot) bears the image of the “9/11 Never Forget Patch” worn by the FDNY and over 10,000 organizations in 30 countries.
$39.00 USD each (+ S/H) for 1 flag
$34.50 USD each (+ S/H) for orders of 2 or more.
As is the case with all products / merchandise sold in the “9/11 Patch Project” store a portion of the proceeds from the sale of these “9/11 Patch Project” flags will benefit the “FDNY's Bravest Scholarship Fund” and the “Terry Farrell Firefighter Fund”.
Here’s where to order:
www.9-11patchproject.org/order.html
We made them a vow… we would NEVER FORGET.
Together we are #BrotherhoodStrong
@[187557941277871:274:Brotherhood of Fire]'](https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-0/p110x80/12790921_1105645679469088_3286407522660136003_n.jpg?oh=dacdb1ca46bccc6c897331afc684229d&oe=575AF1AE)
!['It is with sadness and much regret to inform the Brotherhood that last Friday, February 26, 2016 the members of FDNY Engine 66 and Ladder 61 laid to rest their brother FDNY firefighter.
Gus Cozzi of E-66, after a brave fight sadly lost his battle against cancer.
He fought up until the end... and the hardest hitting of all is that Gus had to leave behind a wife and three young sons.
Our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to all of those who knew… and loved Gus.
RIP Brother
We have the watch from here
We will NEVER FORGET You..
Until we all meet again on the “Top Floor”
Thanks for making the #BrotherhoodStrong
@[187557941277871:274:Brotherhood of Fire]'](https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xlf1/v/t1.0-0/p110x80/12805792_1104210076279315_8270131117151920258_n.jpg?oh=4f276101963ad9187a47c310c3b7abb6&oe=57617648)
!['The roles of this ancient breed are as varied as their reputed ancestors.
The breed has been around for over 600 years and its roots trace back to Croatia and its historical region of Dalmatia. They were originally used as dogs of war, guarding the borders of Dalmatia.
The Dalmatian is a very physical breed, with a strong, muscular body, and able to run great distances without tiring. The Dalmatian also has what seems to be a natural calming effect on horses.
This trait about the breed was seen very early on, and soon the Dalmatian was often identified with horses. Possibly horse mounted warriors or hunters first used the breed in their activities.
During the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries when the mode of travel was by horse or by carriage, the Dalmatians became a society dog, and were trained to run alongside women's carriages. They became known as Coach dogs or Ladies’ dogs.
It was during the 1700's when Dalmatians were being used to protect horses that pulled English stagecoaches. Typically two Dalmatians would run next to the horses as they pulled the coach. When other dogs tried to run out and scare the horses, the Dalmatian team would chase them away.
It was over these many several years / decades / centuries that the Dalmatians formed close bonds with horses.
During this time, (like car theft of our time)… horse theft was very common. Because of the potential for theft stagecoach drivers would typically sleep in a hammock strung between two stalls where they would watch for thieves.
However, if he owned a Dalmatian(s)… because of the bond between the Dalmatians and the horses, the driver could sleep in a hotel or house. Why? Because the Dalmatians would sleep with the horses and possessively guard against anyone messing with the horses.
To this day, the breed retains a high guarding instinct; although friendly and loyal to those the dog knows and trusts, it is often aloof with strangers and unknown dogs.
It is the Dalmatian’s role as fire-fighting apparatus escorts and firehouse mascots they are perhaps best known for. The dog’s natural affinity to horses would be a welcome addition to the horse-drawn fire response, easily training them to run in front of and alongside the fast moving horse-drawn apparatus, helping clear a path and quickly guide the horses and firefighters to the fires.
Being good watchdogs Dalmatians were also useful to fire brigades as guard dogs protecting a firehouse and its equipment. Fire engines used to be drawn by fast and powerful horses, a tempting target for thieves, so Dalmatians were also kept in the firehouse as deterrence to theft of horses or other valuable firefighting gear.
The horse-drawn rigs have long since gone, but the Dalmatians, by tradition, have stayed.
The Dalmatian continues to serve as a firehouse mascot and often used to educate children / the public in fire safety.
Dalmatians are still found in many firehouses in England, Canada, and the United States.
Dalmatians are chosen by many firefighters as pets, in honor of their past.
#BrotherhoodStrong
@[187557941277871:274:Brotherhood of Fire]
Post credit: Wikipedia / Local 1259
Photo credit: TinyFroglet/Flickr'](https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-0/p110x80/10626611_1103310553035934_8769256225883244217_n.jpg?oh=d8cca96cc29151c513ccb630e7c4ae93&oe=574AD273)
!['#BrotherhoodFunny
@[187557941277871:274:Brotherhood of Fire]'](https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xlt1/v/t1.0-0/p110x80/12803308_1102715286428794_3506778259047944650_n.jpg?oh=be1b7bb10224fbdeaf670c87337eaecb&oe=57935CA8)
!['The fire service is a culture unto itself.
Words such as “Brotherhood”, “Sisterhood” and “Family” are not used loosely in the firehouse.
Whenever a firefighter is severely injured on the job the hallways of the hospital are lined with members of their department who stand watch and attend to every need of the family.
When a firefighter dies in the line of duty, every firefighter from that department or station stands watch on scene until the body is recovered and carried respectfully to the waiting ambulance.
The send-off and funerals of a Firefighter who dies line of duty are among the highest honor any person could receive.
Yet in spite of their dedicated service to their communities, few people in the civilian world are ever aware of, or ever even seem to be concerned about the physical, mental, and emotional struggles of Firefighters.
The average or normal person cannot and will never be able to share the Firefighter experience. They can’t ever imagine what firefighters do or see.
Truth is Firefighters regularly experience much grief and traumatic stress.
It’s hard for firefighters to ever willingly share their personal struggles, the demons who haunt their dreams and the unresolved personal conflicts that contribute to the rising statistics of substance abuse, divorce, post-traumatic stress (PTSD), and sadly even suicide in the fire service community.
So… when in trouble, who is there to rescue the “Rescuer”?
The Firefighter often ends up having to “self-rescue”.
“For me personally, I decided to treat my condition, my discomfort with alcohol. The ease and comfort that came from a bottle was a welcome house guest. I could turn off the noise, shut out the visions and thoughts with at first a few beers and in the end gallons. … Only by chance did my wife discover my suicide attempt, without her intervention my effort would have been a success”. (Casey, 2012)
If ever asked publicly if they are ever disturbed emotionally or mentally by traumatic calls, emphatically Firefighters will state they are tough and strong.
Firefighters have been taught early on to “suck it up” and not talk about their problems with anyone.
If ever they were to reach out to their fellow firefighters to talk about these calls and their troubled feelings they are often shunned or ridiculed for being weak or unable to handle the emotional strain of their job.
"Can't take the heat? Get out." is the most often response.
No one in the fire service wants to be labeled as unfit or suffering from some form of mental illness. The stigma is too much to bear.
“I was a bad ass firefighter, a seasoned veteran, even looked up to. How could I be seen as weak? Simply put, I couldn’t. So I pushed on, I drank more, worked more and everything around me began to crack and fall apart”. (Casey, 2012)
Firefighters are often some of the first to arrive on the scene of accidents, suicides, and acts of violence assault and battery, rapes, bombings, school shootings.
They respond to floods, earthquakes, and airline crashes where the death toll and property destruction is overwhelming. They care for victims of domestic violence and child abuse.
Firefighters extricate mangled bodies from motorized vehicles following an accident and provide medical assistance to homeless patients on the streets of inner cities.
At times, they must physically restrain patients who are combative due to mind-altering drugs. Likewise, they are often the ones to comfort parents and family members when a child or loved one has died.
Moreover and all too often they must silently and by themselves cope with grief following the critical injury or worst yet the death of a fellow firefighter in the line of duty.
In the last several years, suicides within the fire service have been increasing at an alarming rate. It is hard for anyone to know exactly how many suicides have actually occurred.
Gary Ludwig, a well-respected fire service professional, states “No one truly tracks the number of suicides among paramedics, firefighters, or even police officers. Some say the reason why is because suicide overall is underreported. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) only tracks on-the-job deaths – not those that occur off the job”.
Some firefighters may receive help shortly after a traumatic call in the way of a critical incident stress debriefing (CISD) or visiting with a department chaplain. A few departments have taken a step further and implemented programs that include information on PTSD and suicide prevention.
Experience is that the majority of Fire Chiefs do nothing to help their firefighters cope with grief and traumatic stress. They continue to lead with the mantra “tough it out and go on”.
Many departments do not have a program in place that provides information on PTSD and suicide prevention. Some firefighters have lost their jobs or have been turned away from their department because they suffer from emotional trauma due the stress of the calls they have been on.
In most cases, a firefighter who has died by suicide is not honored by his department for their years of service and dedication to their community as they would have, had they died in a fire. Additionally, many families of the deceased are not offered the same empathy, emotional support or assistance because their loved one died by suicide.
“Post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and even suicide are very real and vastly under-appreciated threats to the safety and careers of our first responders. And it’s time the rest of us acknowledged it, de-stigmatized those conditions and gave front-line staff better tools with which to cope”. (Cornies, 2012)
To train to become a firefighter is one of the greatest gifts you can give to your neighbors. Few civilians appreciate the many sacrifices they make or the toll it takes on their body, mind, and spirit. Firefighters consistently come in contact with many elements of stress and trauma.
They deal with life-threatening situations and witness human tragedy and death regularly. While trying to cope with the carnage, the stress, and the nightmares, they return again and again to fight fires and save lives.
They struggle physically, mentally, and emotionally to survive the horrific calls. Then return home to self-medicate to forget.
For many of them, this is their normal day.
It doesn't have to be this way.
We all need to do a better job of becoming more aware and active, to do our own part (whatever that may be) and help erase the shame, the stigma of our Brother and Sister Firefighters struggling with and healing from mental health issues.
Stay safe and be well!
Peggy
-------
About the Author:
Peggy Sweeney is a former member of the Comfort (TX) Volunteer Fire Department and a former EMT-B.
She has written and taught countless workshops for coping with grief and trauma including “Grieving Behind the Badge” program for emergency response professionals.
www.grievingbehindthebadgeblog.net/
She is the President of @[704348856255890:274:The Sweeney Alliance]
She has written numerous award-winning articles and is the editor of “Grieving Behind the Badge” newsletter.
Peggy is a mortician and bereavement educator.
------
Thank you Peggy... From the bottom of this Brotherhood's heart... thank you for your mission to save the lives of first responders.
You help make the #BrotHERhoodStrong
@[187557941277871:274:Brotherhood of Fire]
Photo credit: TonysKansasCity.com'](https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-0/p110x80/12744252_1101812739852382_1708814689585360657_n.jpg?oh=2a973b8cec69373934cb95fbafd22255&oe=576577A7)
!['#BrotherhoodFunny
#BrotherhoodStrong
@[187557941277871:274:Brotherhood of Fire]'](https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-0/p110x80/12744013_1101313293235660_1460814675425964317_n.jpg?oh=2591062bd5ebb642c461f3177c93e8eb&oe=57607660)
"Dangerous Secret"
* Please watch this video and SHARE it with your loved ones and friends.
(It literally could save someone’s life)
...See More
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Nassau County Fire Service Academy
When was the last time you took a building construction or fire behavior class?
One year ago today we lost our friend and brother, 35 years young, Daniel Corrigan.
Our hearts thoughts and prayers are with the Corrigan family today... and always.
Dan will always be remembered, he will never be forgotten and will forever live in the hearts of his brothers and sisters in the Santa Barbara City Fire Dept and his “OG” Fresno Fire Department.
...See More
Hahaha
Michigan State Senator Arlan Meekof - Majority Leader is so screwed!
My man John Feal with the FealGood Foundation Outreach And Education Program is COMING to GET ANSWERS !!!
...See More
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