The only motoring link is that we all depend on them should we be involved in a serious accident.
Just spare a thought for the families of the dead and missing Fire-fighters from the fire last night.
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fair enough.
Same thing applies to our armed forces currently fighting abroad. Can't think of a motoring link other than the dreadfully inadequate armour plated vehicles provided, despite the fact we sell stuff like this to other countries, but can't seem to give them to our own troops.
Then there's the compensation we give tio a typist in the MOD compared to the that of a squaddy who blows his leg off whilst driving over a land mine, in aforementioned inadequate vehicle.
what a warped country we now live in
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Many thanks for remiknding us, PU. I'm sure that any of us who will be in church tomorrow will offer a prayer for their families - and indeed all whose job involves risking their lives every day.
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PU
Indeed. A bitter tragedy.
Those who are prepared to put their own lives in peril to attempt rescue of "persons reported" well deserve the title of "hero" - far more than some mere football kicker.
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"Hero" is a much over used word in modern day. Even many of our armed services are not what I would call a hero.
But my thoughts go out to the familes of the firemen, they have waved their fathers / husbands / sons off to work not realising they are never to return. Words can't describe how you deal with that.
--
2007 Seat Altea XL 2.0 TDI (140) Stylance
2005 Skoda Fabia vrS
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Some kind of a tribute is deserved. Can someone suggest a symbolic gesture, to be used for the next two or three days: just a simple wave or thumbs-up every time we pass a fire engine, maybe? Thinking to the amazing lengths motorists go to for red nose day and major international football or rugby games...
I remember when a bus driver was killed as a result of a car bomb in Madrid a few years ago: ALL buses in Spain flew black ribbons from their mirrors the next day and there was a (slightly chaotic) one minute stoppage at midday. The atmosphere in town was simply awesome and it made us all reflect a bit.
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But my thoughts go out to the familes of the firemen they have waved their fathers / husbands / sons off to work not realising they are never to return. Words can't describe how you deal with that.
The real bravery is waving them off every morning *knowing* they might never return.
------------------------------
< Ex RF, Ex TVM >
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A news item on the local news here in the North-East about a firework being shot through the bedroom window of a fireman's young daughter. It went straight through double glazing but no serious harm done.
Obvious that the chavs knew he was a fireman, targetted him specifically in some kind of sick pee-take of his valuable profession. How can anyone have that kind of malicious attitude towards a professional who can only do good in his job?
Beats me.
Also, my thoughts go out to the firefighters lost in what was a malicious act, i.e. an arson attack.
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I was staggered that a large metal shed full of vegetable processing equipment could burn like that. On a more appropriate and serious note I should add that someone on the BBC news has just pointed out that firefighters are the people who are running into a building when we are running out of it! RIP these brave people.
Edited by Armitage Shanks {p} on 04/11/2007 at 08:35
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Until we went to the states I never understood how the americans respected all their emergency services, as well as their armed forces. The respect they have for them is quite staggering.
Quite staggering but right.
We in the UK do not show these people the respect they deserve.
My sympathies to those who are suffering berevement at this moment. It will be the first Christmas without some of those they love.
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Well said, Hugo.
Some of the 'Road Wars'-type TV programmes have shown firefighters and ambulance crews being attacked by gangs of youths, en-route to emergencies (often deliberately caused). Words truly fail me.
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Firemen are kept honest and straightforward by a clearly identifiable enemy against which prompt action is nearly always needed. They usually look good in their professional dealings with the public.
The police are increasingly inhibited, if not corrupted, by ambiguities of political and social origin which often make it difficult to determine the rights and wrongs of a situation and risky on a personal and corporate level to act spontaneously. This can make the police look - and sometimes be - bad in their dealings with the public. It must be very frustrating to be an idealistic young copper.
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It must be very frustrating to be an idealistic young copper.
>>
think what it's like if you're a miserable old charmless git who's being doing it for over 25 years?
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Must have been worse when you were still happy and charming though...
:o)
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Maybe it makes it even sadder is that it appears that the men who died were "retained firemen" . I didn't even realise that there was such a thing (OK, I'm ignorant).
Quote from Telegraph article
"You get about £5,000 a year, but as it is taxed, and as being a retained firefighter involves time off work, which usually means less money from your employer, you don't end up profiting financially in any significant way.
What you do get is the sense that you are doing something worthwhile. When you help put out a fire that is destroying someone's home or their business, you see people at their most desperate. The victims of a fire feel like they have lost everything. You are the one who ensures that they have something left to live for. You can't put a financial value on that.
It is the sense that you are doing something worthwhile which makes it possible to take the risks involved, and to endure the disruption that goes with the territory. You are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year."
Full article here
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007...l
Sounds like the RNLI, and having grown up in a seaside town, heard the maroons regularly in appalling weather and been to school with lads whose Dads were lifeboatmen you realise what heroes they are - like these firemen.
Condolences to the families- not that that is enough for the poor families.
--
Phil
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Whilst we're on the subject I think we should also be thinking of the Detective Constable that was run over trying to aprehend a wanted criminal the other day, last I heard she was critical in a neurosurgical unit, so here's to all of the people prepared to risk their lives to serve the public.
Blue
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Was in New York shortly after 9/11 and all the fire engines we saw had two stars and stripes flags flying from them, it was good to see people proud of their country. I don't know if they flew them before that.
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Just to add the guy who said thumbs up to the firefighters when you see them out is a great idea.
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