– This post is by Brian Humphrey, a firefighter / Public Information Officer for the Los Angeles Fire Department. He hosts the LAFD Blog and you can find him regularly Tweeting about LA fires.
The morning after. It’s not only a central theme in adventure novels and disaster films, but a frank reality for firefighters and American Red Cross volunteers. As we quickly learn, the morning after is when the important work we perform together throughout a long, dark night is best understood.
On this morning after Fire Prevention Week, I would like to thank the many American Red Cross staff members and volunteers from across our great nation, who stood alongside America’s firefighters the past seven days, as we sought to collectively lessen the impact of fire.
With an average of 180 daily responses to assist the victims of devastating fires nationwide, American Red Cross volunteers are uniquely aware of a nemesis that took more American lives last year than all natural disasters combined.
And therein lies our challenge.
As we come to understand the intertwined nature of disaster preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery, we know those we serve are no longer (no should they be) willing to accept firefighters whose work ends when the last flame is snuffed, or relief and recovery efforts that don’t bridge to preparing for - or better yet preventing, future disasters.
On this morning after, let us applaud the pioneering efforts of the American Red Cross in providing seamless service to Americans in crisis, as we rededicate ourselves as firefighters and Red Cross volunteers to see that there will always be a timely local response to mitigate, care for and most importantly help our friends and neighbors prepare for a very real threat facing them every day of the year.
Brian Humphrey
Brian Humphrey is a Firefighter/Public Information Officer for the Los Angeles Fire Department, and a long-time supporter of the American Red Cross.
5 responses so far ↓
1 John Holland // Oct 13, 2008 at 1:35 am
I must applaud Mr. Humphrey for first being a fire fighter, second a Red Cross supporter and third a great writer… those were in no apparent order.
Reducing and eliminating the risk of fire from our lives is a tough challenge but through education efforts like Fire Prevention Week we, as a nation, can get that much closer to a safer reality. Great post Mr. Humphrey!
2 Marek California Wildfire Information // Oct 13, 2008 at 5:52 pm
[…] ← The Morning After Fire Prevention Week […]
3 Brian Humphrey // Oct 17, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Mr. Holland,
Thanks for your kind words. They mean more than you know.
Respectfully Yours in Safety and Service,
Brian Humphrey
Firefighter/Specialist
Public Service Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department
4 Paul Carlson // Nov 3, 2008 at 8:15 am
All we can do is to educate people and that is what our team does at least three times per week after week, year after year. Some will follow through on what they have learned,and hopefully a life will be saved. We will continue here in Northern Ca. as long as the good Lord continues to put us in front of good american citizens. If you need a good speaker on Fire safety awareness Please call Paul @ 530 410 2795 or E mail us God Bless Paul Carlson
5 Paul Carlson // Nov 3, 2008 at 8:35 am
Paul Carlson Home Fire Safety Solutions President Northern Ca. Fire Safety Advisor and Authorized MasterGuard Distributor Thank you mr. Humphrey Lets continue to educate americans before it happens . an all out assault on Awareness and the three main things we need to do for starters #1 Minimize fire hazzards, #2 Practice a fire escape plan, and three install equipment that we can absolutely and positively depend on to get us up and out In the early stages when we are in REM sleep etc…
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