“Modern Day Heros”

Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Bill Cunningham

A few years back, there was a movie called “Ladder 49.” It was the story of firemen in Baltimore, Maryland. It dramatically depicted their day-to-day lives and the dangerous, even deadly, perils they faced putting out fires in multi-story buildings. Of course, a little romance was thrown in for good measure. Several well-known stars were cast in the movie, and it was full of special effects and stirring music.

It was a good movie. But it was just a movie, with the story line scripted and the drama acted out. No one actually died or was exposed to danger. However, the real life story of a fireman is much more heroic.

I’m speaking especially of the volunteer fire departments which dot the rural landscape of western Kentucky. In case you haven’t noticed, these firefighters are dedicated and devoted fellow citizens who give of their valuable time and energies to making our communities safer. Incidentally, they also help lower your homeowner’s insurance rates. From Benton to Caledonia, from Grand Rivers to Hazel, these men and women have answered the call of public service at their local fire stations.

For many small communities, the heart and soul of their existence has been slowly eroding over the years. They may have lost their schools to consolidation, and hence many cultural and social activities may have ceased. The local post office may have closed. Even the local grocery store may have gone out of business.

Fire stations have helped to fill the void by providing a point of pride. They even help fill the social void with their meetings and fund-raising events. But make no mistake about it. These fire stations are work houses.

Not long after watching this movie, I toured the firehouse at Burna, Kentucky. It was very clean and well-kept. Various pumpers, trucks, and machinery – all gleaming and polished – were standing by, ready to spring into action. Bright yellow “bunker gear” hung on large hooks at the ready. It was obvious that these hard-working chiefs took pride in what they did.

Two major challenges face such small fire departments as the one at Burna – funding and training. Like all public services these days, local volunteer fire departments are strapped for operating funds. Their financial support is provided by a patch work of sources. They get some state aid, which is supplemented by revenues raised from local subscriptions, taxing districts, or municipalities. The use of these funds is often restricted to certain expenditures. For instance, some public money may be designated to equipment, but not to the buildings in which the equipment is kept and protected. Many, if not most, departments try to ease their straining budgets by sponsoring fundraisers of their own, such as fish fries and chili suppers. Energetic and aggressive chiefs are always pursuing grants and other potential sources of funding.

It is an ongoing battle.

Rigorous and demanding training make up a large part of any volunteer fire department’s activities. State funding is tied to the number of certified firefighters. In order to become certified, a firefighter must complete 150 hours of training, and then be re-certified annually with 20 hours of additional training. While most of this teaching is done at the local firehouse by qualified state instructors, some classes may only be offered at other locations, making travel necessary.

Be reminded, these are not employees with the benefits of salaries, insurance, and pensions.

They are volunteers performing a demanding and dangerous mission. These men and women have day and night jobs. They come from a wide crosssection of rural communities. They are farmers, factory workers, professionals, retirees, and homemakers. What makes them special is not just the considerable risk to their lives when called out on a run. It is also the personal sacrifice of their time and effort in attending training sessions and fire meetings. We should never lament that we no longer have heroes. They are living among us. When you or I are sleeping through the cold winter night, these modern day heroes leave warm beds and homes to respond to the midnight bell. They may not look like movie stars, and they will probably talk with a west Kentucky accent instead of the scripted glib of Hollywood, but they are genuine articles.

We should never take these heroes for granted. Their selfless service given to their fellow citizens cannot be measured in pounds, but in tons. So here is a salute to all of these fine men and women who serve as volunteer firefighters. At every opportunity, we should tell them “thanks