Firefighter, Family Tradition {Binghamton Area Photographer}

No matter if it is a career or volunteer firefighter, becoming a member of the fire service is often times a family tradition. A young son or daughter grows up and watches a parent serve his or her community in a very selfless way and they want to do the same. Firefighters train for any number of circumstances they may come across: structure fires, motor vehicle accidents (anything from motorcycles to the big rigs), medical emergencies, and even water rescue. They train on a regular basis so that at the drop of the tones on their pagers, they can drop what they are doing, kiss their families, and run out the door to respond. Maybe they were just hanging out at home, maybe they were eating dinner with the family, maybe in the midst of bowling on the Wii with the kids. Doesn't matter, someone needs help, and they are called to respoond.

Many people don't realize what it takes, many people just take for granted the fact that if they need help there are "people there" who will help them out. Until I experienced life as a firefighter's wife, I was in the 2nd category. I never thought about the people that responded to emergencies. I never thought about if it was their career that they chose or whether they were volunteering their time to serve the community. It never crossed my mind even once.

My husband grew up watching his father, and as any boy does, looked up to him. His father is a paramedic by trade and also volunteered for a number of years with his local fire department. Now my husband serves in the local fire department with a long list of other voluteers, and our oldest son Colton (currently age 11) aspires to join the department as soon as he is of age. He is proud of his dad's service and looks forward to serving with him. Every year at school his teachers comment on this. It is very much a part of who Colton is. I have to tell you that watching our son is like getting a glimpse into my husband when he was a boy.

Colton came home from school a couple of months ago with a poem he had written called I AM. The poem is about being a young junior firefighter and it brought tears to our eyes when we read it. Listening to Colton read it in his own voice was one of those golden parent moments when you just burst with pride in your child. Words can't even express how we felt. There were some tears that did a better job of that...

This Christmas Colton and I sat down together to look over some images I took a couple of years ago of the kids with Steve in his bunker gear. Colton helped select the perfect image to go with his poem and we put them together to print for Steve and his father for Christmas. He was soooo excited and couldn't wait for them to open their prints! Now that Christmas has passed and the gifts have been opened, I would love to share it with all of you. Before I do, I'd like to say a few thank you's...

Thank you to all of you who serve others in your communities. You are the ones who run to the scene when everyone else runs away. You have something inside of you that is truly incredible that makes your hearts unique. Thank you to the families who support the loved ones in their lives that possess this unique gift, it's not always easy to shift your plans and send them away with a kiss and a quick , "Be safe!"

To my father-in-law, thank you for shaping the man my husband is today. His desire to serve other people in this way comes from watching you. I see that so clearly as I watch and listen to Colton as he grows. To my husband, I'm so very proud of you and so are our children. Thank you for being such a positive role model to our kids. We all love you very much. And to Colton, I'm your mom, so I'll always be a little on the protective side, but I'm proud of your dreams, and I will support you, no matter what. I love you.

I Am

by Colton Luker, 2011

I am a young junior firefighter.

I wonder who will join with me.

I hear the crackling of wood burning, and water rushing out of the hose.

Then th sizzle of water hitting the fire, the roar of the fire engines,

Also the tired breathing of the firefighters.

I see nothing but black, thick smoke in the house.

I want to help my community.

I am a young junior firefighter.

I pretend to put out fire with a hose.

I feel hot and sweaty from the fire and my fire gear.

I touch the leather of the steering wheel in the firetruck.

I worry that someone may get hurt.

I cry when family die.

I am a young junior firefighter.

I understand that it is dangerous.

I say God will protect me when I'm doing it.

I dream that I will do my best.

I try to be good.

I hope other people will join with me.

I am a young junior firefighter.