Newsday is reporting what is the costliest day in terms of life lost for the NYFD, since the 9/11 attacks…. three firefighters were killed, and four more on the critical list.
We speak a lot of those serving in the greens and greys and blues of the various military services. And it’s right we do so. I’ve done it here, repeatedly. But it is no less right that we should also pay homage to those who serve us here at home, risking their lives so we might be safer.
I am reminded of Dennis Smith’s great work… “Report from Engine Company 82”
Said Smith in his book:
“Signal 5-5-5-5 has a special meaning for us. Put the flag at half-mast and listen to the department radio for the message.There is a five by five cubicle at the front of the firehouse. Inside the small partition, there is a man writing the signal in the department company journal He turns up the volume of the department radio as we gather around it. This is the man assigned the housewatch duty, and he knows what he has to do. After recording the signal, he moves to the outside of the firehouse and brings the colors to half-mast. He returns to the watch- desk and prepares to write the message in the company journal His face is pensive, and he is asking himself the same question we all ask ourselves: I wonder if I know the guy? The radio beings to squawk the message and the housewatchman begins to write: “The signal 5-5-5-5 has been transmitted and the message is as follows: It is with deep regret that the department announces the death of Fireman 1st grade Edward Tuite which occurred while operating at box 583 at 11:25 hours this date”.
In the same chapter Smith wrote what is possibly the best way to end this post:
…(most other people)… have a high degree of assurance that they will return home from work in the evening. A little tired, perhaps… but on their feet. When a fireman’s wife kisses him as he leaves for work she makes a conscious wish that he will return to her. She hopes that she will not have to make those fast, desperate arrangements for a baby-sitter so that she can visit him in the hospital, and each time the doorbell rings, she hopes that there will not be a chief a chaplain, and a union official there, all coming to say kind things about her husband, how good he was, how dedicated, how brave.
Thus are the heroic sacrifices of Lt. Curtis Meyran, 46, of Battalion 26 Firefighter John Bellew, 37, of Ladder 27, and Firefighter Richard Sclafani of Bayside, Queens paid honor in this blogger’s notes.
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PS and update: I note with some interest that Dennis Smith has a more recent work out regarding 9/11 you may want to check out.
If you’re interested in the signal boxes and the signaling system, check this out.
(Update:Repaired links)
Tags: BitsBlog
