15 years....

To speak about the effects of 9/11 is nothing new. But it is something that I feel needs to be addressed due to upsetting thing that I see out of those who are new to the public safety field. 

Approximately a month prior to 9/11/01, I had a conversation with my parents that I wanted to become a professional firefighter as a career, and that I wanted to take my life in the direction of public service. This was instilled into me with the various community organizations my family was involved in. I would be a first generation in this field. I don't have any police or firefighter family members. I didn't have anyone coaching me through the steps. I went out and learned it all on my own. After 9/11 things took a major shift. Since I was 12 at the time, I was impacted greatly, while further driving my passion for this career despite the inherent risks. Immediately following the events, there was an outpouring of new faces to the emergency services. Many people from all types of backgrounds started to volunteer. (I myself included in this) As soon as I was old enough, I became an EMT at 17. Then I shopped around for an organization to join since I hardly knew anyone that served on the organization in my home town. 

I have said this before and I will say it again. I don't feel bad for the victims of these tragedies. I feel terrible for their families who are forced to face with memorials and remembrances after they have tried to move on. Being in such close proximity to Manhattan and working in cities that have lost large numbers during these events, a person cannot help but be reminded every day of the events that occurred that day. 

What happened after is something that I find alarming. I was encountering people who were my age or younger, and they were plastered in 9/11 memorial tattoos. 

This photo just really rubbed me the wrong way. Now I know that everyone heals differently and tragedy effects people in very different ways. I get that. In my time with the Jersey City medical center, I have crossed countless paths with survivors and victims’ alike. 

I have spoken first hand with people who worked the pile, people who responded, and people who collected patients off of ferries. All of them battle demons every day. And there is no bigger slap in the face than a kid who was in diapers the day their lives changed forever, showing off their "never forget" tattoo. Correct, we aren't kids anymore. However, sometimes you just need to know when to not say anything. 

The days of respect in this line of work has seemed to have slipped away. There is a sense of entitlement that younger generations are bringing with them into public safety. I recently came across a brand new employee who was denied employment twice. They then had the nerve, that once given the opportunity to work here, he then begins bad mouthing other paramedics. If you're so new that we don't know your name. Then you are too new to say something. If you don't like it, work at target. We have volunteer firefighters who blindly follow the lead of set forth by people with no regard for safety or policy. I have grown to be upset with these things and I hate that I bring this up at an emotionally difficult time. But as with most things in life, there's never a good time. This will probably rub a few rookies the wrong way. 

This may even irritate their new "ink". Again we all have our right to grieve. We also have our right to say what we feel. That’s what makes this country great. Trust me, In your future career, you will have your fair share of tragedy to respond to. You will soon be that senior person who despises the young person for acting like they were on the front lines. When the real truth is that they were 6 years old.