Nurses, Policemen and Firemen

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Is anyone familiar with the tragedy in Charleston SC with the deaths of 9 firefighters on Tuesday morniing? The funeral was Friday and was attended by at least 500-750 firefighters from all over the country. Thes men were all from one fire chiefs companies. I watched the services on streaming video as my Satellite will not give me my state's channels. (I get Augusta instead). Anyway for that 90 minutes I cried with a pain I haven't felt in a long, long time. I almost died in a fire a long time ago and it has alll come back to me.

It occurs to me that Policemen, Nurses and Firefighters along with EMTS and Paramedics have a special bond. Does any one else here feel this? I'm not explaining it as well as I want to.

The had TAPS played after 3 rounds of 5 bells, they had the NYFD and other pipe and drum corps. This has bothered me greatly that I feel so vulnerable.

Specializes in ED, ICU, PSYCH, PP, CEN.

My brother is on a fire dept and my brother in law was too. He died last September. At his funeral you could see and feel the bond.

It is formed because of the many hours worked together, but also because of the work we do and the things we see that no one but us understands.

I had a real bonding moment with one of the nurses I work with last night over a very sick patient.

When my husband picked me up I wanted to share it with him but he can't stand talking about the awful things we see, it grosses him out. Having someone who sees and understands is what creates the bond.

I still love my husband, but he is a real sissy when it comes to the medical/nursing stuff.

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Specializes in Neuro.

My BF is a firefighter and most (at least 2/3) of his coworkers are married to nurses, EMTs or firefighters. There is definitely a close bond. The fire service is like one big family. I know I trust all of my BF's coworkers with my life and I trust them with his life as well. It is a very special profession and I feel their families are very special too because of the unique circumstances and sacrifices of the profession.

After the death of the 9 in SC, the flag at my BF's department was flown at half-mast. I think that speaks volumes to their support of other fire departments, considering the distance. I'm trying not to watch the news too much, though, because it always reminds me how real the danger is in my BF's profession, and the risks he takes I don't like to dwell on.

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Specializes in LTC.

There definetely is a bond.. (sorry can't spell- just woke up) My best friend's father is a police officer the other a lawyer, ex is firefighter and now going to be a MD, 2 best friends (both men) one is a teacher and volunteer firefighter the other is a Marine. A couple other friends are EMT's.

I think part of the reason we all bond so well is because of what we see and what we deal with on an everyday basis. My current boyfriend doesn't get it.. I just tried explaining this to him a couple of days ago when we went out, Alot of my friends were there and when we asks them what they did he was shocked... He doesn't get it he works retail-- lucky him....

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

Thank you all. I knew I wasn't alone. My sister is married to a retired policeman-district sargeant. He's now a policeman at the fenderal court house.

We had several nights we didn't sleep because "something was going on." He and his coworkers had black stripes across their badges also. I still feel tears when I think of this though.

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Definite bond...partly because of what we do...partly because of the time spent together. Around here, partly because the nurses like to do megacode with medics when we take ACLS. :)

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Specializes in Flight, ER, Transport, ICU/Critical Care.

The BOND that exists in the FIRE SERVICE is very difficult to explain. IT is there - IT will ALWAYS be there and I am so GRATEFUL that I was admitted to this very EXCLUSIVE CLUB.

Most of the time, when you go to work - there is no recognition that TODAY COULD BE MY LAST DAY - but that knowledge exists in the fire service. IT is NEVER spoken, but just remains a part of who you are and all of those that you are fortunate enough to share your lives with ... amazing? No. Just what we do!

Please never forget:

LIVING a HERO and DYING a HERO are NOT the same thing.

I have known may HEROS --- that are still doing what they do, day in, day out.

But, the amazing part is - the fact that ONE WOULD LAY DOWN THEIR LIFE FOR ANOTHER IS THE SUPREME SACRIFICE. Let it be as cherished as it is valuable.

GODSPEED.

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Specializes in ED, Hospice, ICU, Trach and vent.

I feel that the bond also comes from the respect we have for the different ways each of us approach helping others. We all have the same goals, but go about it in a different way by definition of our job descriptions. In the end, it's all done to help the wounded, sick, or helpless.

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