Soldier|Firefighter

Welcome to Soldier|Firefighter. This site is dedicated to the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who serve our nation in protecting our freedom every day.

The goal of this effort is to create and strengthen the connection between those who serve in the military and those who serve in the fire service as a means of bolstering both their ranks, their morale and their respect for each other’s work. We have plenty in common.

Whichever challenge you choose: Serve Your Country. Serve Your Community.

 

Double Duty.

I think I like “Double Duty” even more than “Two Hatter” in describing SoldierFirefighters. Here’s a great story of one soldier who has put his military training to the test as a firefighter serving his community and vice-verse. Rob Fox is the SoldierFirefighter that this GX Magazine article features.

Here’s his story on the National Guard website: http://www.nationalguard.com/soldier-stories/rob-fox

It Carries Over

A Marine does a great job of drawing the connection between military service and community service in providing fire and emergency services in this short video. It’s what Soldier|Firefighter is all about.

Creating Opportunities

Although I wasn’t able to participate in VetNet’s live online discussion on the “Value of Mentoring and Networking” — I did view the interaction after the fact and left this comment that I hope some folks will pick up on and respond:

I’m not a soldier. I’m a firefighter. I created www.SoldierFirefighter.com to connect returning veterans with the volunteer fire service.

The fire service needs volunteers who understand the values of teamwork, discipline, respect and the chain-of-command. The fire service offers the camaraderie, adrenaline rush and sense of belonging and value that a lot of returning veterans miss about active duty. It’s a great match.

And given the PTSD and suicide issues amongst returning veterans, I’m convinced we can save lives by welcoming them home and into our fire service family.

In terms of job networking, the volunteer fire service is vast and offers the opportunity to connect with people who may be aware of employment opportunities for quality people where they work, or they may be employers themselves.

These are a few of the great reasons for veterans to continue their legacy of service to our country — by serving their community.

Check out www.SoldierFirefighter.com. We hope you’ll agree.

Google Launches “VetNet” To Help Military Veterans Re-Enter Civilian Life

This is a great time of year to find out who the returning veterans are in your community and welcome them and their families into your fire service family.

Recruiting veterans into the volunteer fire service can be a great solution to our staffing challenges. Think about it, we don’t have to teach them discipline, respect, honor, chain-of-command or teamwork — and in return we offer the camaraderie, adrenaline rush, teamwork and sense of value that they miss from active duty. And we’re convinced we can save lives by doing it.

There’s an army of volunteers out there just waiting to be asked. Soldier|Firefighter just may be a perfect fit for your fire company.

Check out this great article: Google Launches “VetNet” To Help Military Veterans Re-Enter The Civilian Life and the host organization: Hiring Our Heroes — supported by the US Chamber of Commerce.

The gain and loss of military enlistment

A referral from http://www.FDLiveIn.com (http://www.fdlivein.com/2012/live-ins-in-the-news/) brought us to this Facebook post from the Dover Township Volunteer Fire Department in Pennsylvania where their members discuss how the proud loss of one of their live-ins is a big gain for the US Air Force as he becomes a SoldierFirefighter.

Read for yourself: http://www.facebook.com/Dover.Township.Fire.Department/posts/456009931103339

Veterans Hiring Program Debuts for the Fire Service

Our sister site: FireRECRUITER.com reports that the US Department of Homeland Security has announced its Veterans Hiring Program as part of the SAFER-Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response grant program for the fire service.

Click for the details: http://firerecruiter.wordpress.com/2012/07/24/dhs-announces-veterans-hiring-program/

24/7 Non-Stop Community Service

My favorite kind of two-hatter was featured in the most recent edition of the National Guard’s GX Magazine: Those who wear both a soldier’s helmet and a fire helmet.

The featured Guardsman is Specialist Rob Fox – a Soldier in the California Army National Guard’s 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and firefighter with the San Diego Fire Department.

“Hire a Hero” Event Reinforces Opportunity to Recruit Vets

You don’t need to look hard to read between the lines of this Buffalo News article to see that it reinforces the tremendous opportunity for the volunteer fire service to embrace and welcome home returning veterans by recruiting them into our ranks.

As Buffalo News Reporter Gene Warner refers to “That challenge — how to convert military discipline, teamwork and even combat experience into a successful job search…” could be answered with the opportunity to serve in the volunteer fire service. All we have to do is open our doors and our hearts to these special people who have already done so much to protect their country and their community.

I first became aware of this event thanks to my good friend and SoldierFirefighter Dan Frontera who is in charge of veteran services for Erie Community College. I happened to catch this flyer on his door while taking a class at ECC’s Oak Street Campus.

Read the complete article and take heed of the challenges these service men and women face. We in the fire service hold a unique and much-needed resource in allowing them to re-connect with their community and its people by continuing their legacy of service.

http://www.buffalonews.com/city/communities/buffalo/article758092.ece

Fire Service Related War Death

As a means of recognizing those who serve both our country and our community, we share this unfortunate story of a firefighter who lost his father serving in Afghanistan. When one of our families hurts, we all hurt. This information is provided courtesy of The Secret List from www.FirefighterCloseCalls.com.

FIRE SERVICE RELATED WAR DEATH:

We regret to advise you that Major Robert Marchanti of the US Army National Guard was recently killed in Afghanistan while serving our country. Major Marchanti is the FATHER of BALTIMORE CITY FF Aaron Marchanti of Truck Company 1.

PLEASE READ MORE HERE ABOUT THIS OUTSTANDING HERO:

http://dundalk.patch.com/articles/community-remembers-marchanti-as-a-gentle-giant#photo-9236899

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bs-md-marchanti-fire-flag-20120228,0,6751413.story

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-heroes-van-consolation-20120229,0,2671787.story

Take Care-BE CAREFUL.

BillyG

The Secret List 3-6-12 / 1053 Hours

www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com

Soldier|Firefighter Debuts in Fire-Rescue Magazine

Citizen-Soldier-Firefighter Don Keuck is a firefighter with the Doyle Hose Co. 1 in Cheektowaga NY and a Sergeant with the NY National Guard. Photos by: Tiger Schmittendorf - Editing Courtesy of: Fire-Rescue Magazine

The full story behind Soldier|Firefighter was revealed in an article I wrote for the March-2012 edition of Fire-Rescue Magazine.This link to the story on FirefighterNation.com – the magazine’s online home — shares my belief that we have both an opportunity and an obligation to connect Soldiers, Airmen, Marines, Sailors, Guardsmen and Coasties with the fire service as a way of welcoming them home and recognizing them for their sacrifices in protecting our nation and the nations our country protects.

Check it out and leave your comments here, on FirefighterNation.com or on Facebook. I’m hoping that this article’s debut in both the print and online edition of the magazine will spur interest from the military, the fire service and the general public in strengthening the bond between these brothers.