About the Fairfax Fire Department

What is a Firefighter?

He is the guy next door,
a man’s man with the
memory of a little boy.
He never got over the excitement of the engines and sirens and smoke and danger.

He’s a guy like you and me
with problems, worries
and unfulfilled dreams.

Yet he stands taller
than most of us.
He is a Firefighter.

He puts it all on the line when the bell rings. A firefighter is at once the most fortunate
and the least fortunate f men. He’s a man who saves the lives because he has seen
too much death.

He’s a gentle man because he has seen too much of the awesome power of the violent forces out of control.

He’s responsive to a child’s laughter because his arms have held too many small bodies that will never laugh again.

He’s a man who appreciates the simpler pleasures of life – hot coffee held in numb unbending fingers – the flush of fresh air pumping through smoke and fire convulsed lungs – a warm bed for bone and muscle compelled beyond feelings – the camaraderie of brave men – the divine peace of selflessness service and a job well done in the name of all men.

He doesn’t wear a button or wave flags or shout obscenities. When he marches, it’s to honar a fallen comrade. He doesn’t preach the brotherhood of man.

He lives it, as the Firefighter!

Author Unknown