Beyond the Flames – ‘Firefighting Tends to Be a Family Trait’

Several weeks ago, just as our society has every second Sunday of May since 1908, we celebrated our mothers. And as I sat thinking about the holiday, and all of the things that makes mothers like mine great, I couldn’t help but think of the role a mother plays in the fire service.
Of course, without mothers, none of the world’s firefighters would exist. It takes a mother to nurse and raise a child to the age that one can become a firefighter. But the mother of a firefighter goes through a great deal more than just raising her child to become an adult.
A firefighter’s mother shares a special bond with the mothers of police officers, emergency medical technicians, and members of the armed forces – something that you don’t understand unless you’ve been in that position.
These mothers understand that each time they see their sons or daughters, it could be the last time they ever see them before there duties ask of them the ultimate sacrifice. But beyond the ultimate sacrifice, there are many sacrifices that the mothers of firefighters make each and every day.
Mothers take the first step towards grooming their children to become good firefighters, and strong adults, from their early childhood. The discipline she demanded, the reprimanding she gave, the compassion she showed towards them – these traits are essential for one to be a successful firefighter. And they all start from the teaching of mothers.
A firefighter’s mother is also the first “rescuer” he or she every encounters. Scraped knees, paper cuts, hurtful names, or broken hearts – a child’s mother is always the first one to comfort them. And without care and compassion like that, an individual simply couldn’t be a firefighter.
Firefighting tends to be a family trait. Often times, father and son and/or daughter both belong to the fire service, meaning Mom could be spending the evening eating dinner alone if the pager tones call on the family’s fireman. Mother’s Days, birthday, Christmases, Easters… none are exempt from the wrath of the pager, and the loneliness a mother feels as her son or daughter disappears to serve their community.
And that time alone can be an empty feeling – mothers all across America spend sleepless nights wondering if their children will return home in one piece, or at all. They spend countless hours praying for the safety of their children, and the other children called to duty.
Mothers of firefighters share a special bond with each other. Only they understand what each other go through, and this often leads to lifetime friendships of their own. Through supporting fire company events by preparing food, reaching out to lend a helping hand to someone in need, or just spending time together, firefighters’ mothers share a unique connection like no other.
Moms have that special knack of calming their children down like no other – and that’s especially important for firefighters. Even though they might not understand everything their son or daughter is referring to, they’ll be the first to support them in any argument or dispute, and will always take the side of their children.
Firefighters also often become very opinionated and close-minded, and mothers help to straighten them out. Sometimes, only Mom will be able to help you realize when you’ve had enough, or to let it go, or to stand up for what you believe is right.
Thinking about my own mother, I really don’t know how she does it. I don’t even want to think about the idea of losing my parents or grandparents, so I can’t imagine what it must be like to know that the duty of my child as a firefighter could mean an untimely death.
The mother of a firefighter hates his or her child’s passion for the fire service – surely sometimes they wish we could have loved to read, or bake cookies, or do something that doesn’t endanger our lives every day. But she understands their passion, and is proud of her child for what they do.
She knows that if she were to ask her child to walk away from the fire service, they would do it for her in a heartbeat. But she understands even more that the compassion they show for others is worth the risk.
It takes a special person to volunteer or work professional as a firefighter, but it takes an even stronger person to be the mother of one. So on behalf of all the firefighters in Cape May County, thanks for everything you’ve done and continue to do, Moms.
We truly couldn’t do what we do without you.
Knoll, 19, of Eldora, can be contacted by email at bknolljr4cmcherald@yahoo.com. He is a student at Rowan University.
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