What Makes A Firefighter Better Than A Soldier?

The answer, is nothing. Zero. And yet, recent events have caused me to re-investigate this issue, because evidently, there is one.

Now, I understand that these men, many on a volunteer basis, go for broke and charge into a burning building for the benefit of someone who may be trapped inside. In Massachusetts, on call and volunteer guys get no pension or life insurance benefits AND in lieu of recent nastiness, this has come to light demanding a resolution.

But something was brought up that bugged me - especially when fellow members in the industry - otherwise known as DJs - dodged the question... "What makes a firefighter more of a risk taker than someone in Iraq? (BTW, a note here... All you morons that keep pronouncing this EYE-RAK - it's EH-Rak... Ok?)

Well, in my book, he ain't. If anything, they are equal. However, in this country, the Firefighter is worshipped. There may even be people who burn incense in honor of fallen firefighters. The Soldier? Heh. In some cases, despised because he is required to do the bidding of a man some people hate, the President.

People get ridiculously adamant about anyone who takes an opposing view of how great a firefighter is. They even threaten violence in some cases. This has been a problem that goes past 9/11 as some theorize. I remember it coming to center stage back in 1999 when the great ware-house fire hit Worcester, Massachusetts. Suddenly, people got this light from their head to the world and we started idolizing these men beyond what is right.

Look, I'm not taking away any glory of the job or how much of a risk it is to run into a burning building. But lets not make these men Gods. Why? Because there comes a point when it becomes silly to do so... It causes division, hatred, and in the end, threats and violence. The firefighters in my town know I admire them for their risks. Further, I have spent the last 2 weeks going to bat for them against the blood thirsty media who for some reason, didn't realize they were hurting the people they meant to defend when people in other towns started phoning in death threats to town hall. Yes, some members of the fire department work for the town full time and fielded these calls. You were threatening the people you claimed to be on the side of. Brilliant.