Thoughts from the Tail Board
As I write this month’s Thoughts from the Tail Board, I decided to change the name. Thought it was better from an old firefighter.
I was at the funeral for Nick VanDam. What a terribly heart wrenching day. A gym full of family, friends, firefighters, law enforcement, EMS, citizens of Murdo and even politicians. Once again it reminds every one of us how our lives can change in a second. How precious this thing called life really is. A thought from the tailboard. I wonder when will it ever end, the tragic loss of firefighter’s lives? The family would give everything they possess to get Nick back, and so wouldn’t the other families of those who have gone before. During the service it was said that for Nick this wasn’t just a commitment, it was a calling. We tell ourselves we will never forget and will always remember and honor the fallen. How do you do that? How will you remember and honor Nick? Maybe the simplest way is best. Just slow down. Take time to be sure you have all the proper PPE on. Be aware of what’s going on around you. Be in charge where you are in control. Rest in peace Nick.
Each month Rod Veldhuizen provides some great thoughts on our mental health. We all need to do a self-evaluation now and then. But sometimes I wonder. It seems that most of the tips we hear are after some sort of major incident or huge nearly life changing event. Call that 800 number. Talk to someone. But, what about the small, almost insignificant events? Those little ones that just “pop up.” Like, oh crud I forgot to pay a bill, or I totally spaced doing something important or I don’t know why my spouse said that. Don’t these add up too? We need to watch out for the little things as much as the big ones.
Don’t forget the SD Firefighters Association Fall Conference in Spearfish Oct. 10 & 11. The two instructors have what I’m sure will be a very interesting and pertinent message for everyone. It doesn’t matter about your rank, years in the fire service, or anything else. Come and rub elbows with a bunch of other firefighters, that’s part of the fun and learning. The South Dakota Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service will be held this same weekend. Thankfully, we didn’t have to add a name to the memorial this year. Next year we will add Nick Van Dam’s name.
Rick George a few weeks ago posted on our Facebook page the cost of putting on the annual State Fire School. In case you missed it, the total cost is a little over $98,000. Instructors, motel rooms for those instructors, noon lunches, breaks, registration. There are so many small and large moving parts to fire school it’s hard to see the whole picture. As a long-time Board member, I can remember when fire school cost $30-$40,000. Times are a changing.
Well with that, I’ll close for another month and quit boring you.
Take care of yourself and someone close to you.
Denny Gorton