Break down in communication

I've spent 36 years in the communications business and one thing I've learned from all that time is that communication breaks down.

That lesson was brought home to me again this week as I watched the interaction between the Thermopolis Volunteer Fire Department and the Hot Springs County Rural Fire District.

If you've read the story on our front page, you have pretty much the gist of the idea, but the break down between these two entities was a long time coming and could have so easily been avoided.

First, let me say, knowing these firefighters and having been associated with fire departments for half my adult life, I guarantee you public safety was never in jeopardy.

At jeopardy, however, was a working relationship between two groups of people that are both fiercely dedicated to their mission.

Your firefighters are all volunteers. That means that 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year there is someone ready to come to your aid...for free.

I was married to a firefighter, a chief, for nearly 20 years and I can't tell you how many times we'd sit down to dinner and the pager would go off and out the door he'd go to help someone else's family. I was left with the ticket at the restaurant more times than I can count, and every year he was out of town at Mid-Winter Fire School on my birthday.

Our 10th anniversary was spent serving dinner to other firemen at Fall Fire School rather than celebrating as a couple.

These dedicated men drop everything and head out the door, into a truck and down the road to a blazing fire or accident whether its the middle of the night or the middle of dinner.

So it's no wonder they became upset when the District took it upon themselves to draft a contract behind closed doors. A contract that put unnecessary constraints on the department.

Fortunately, the District and the fire department eventually agreed to sit down together and draft an agreement that will be beneficial to both, but not before sitting down and butting heads, getting it all out in the open, on both sides.

Its funny, I had a friend say to me this week, "But why do they become firemen? Isn't it for the fun, the adrenaline rush?"

OK, valid point. What kid doesn't dream of riding in a fire truck? But for these men its so much more.

It's helping people. It's being there when people are at their worst. It's a feeling of commitment. It's pride in a job well done.

I've heard people complain because they've seen a fireman washing his car at the fire hall, "wasting my tax dollars."

Personally, I think a few dollars worth of water is a small price to pay when my house catches on fire. I'm certainly not going to stand out in the street and turn them away because of a couple of dollars worth of water.

"They get to race through town," is something else I've heard.

Legally, they're allowed to drive 10 m.p.h. over the speed limit when responding.

Did you know, your insurance rates are lower because of the quick response times recorded by your first responders?

I commend every single one of the firefighters on the Thermopolis Volunteer Fire Department.

Thank you for your dedication.

Thank you for your service.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you for running in when others run out.