Our Team is blessed to be a part of the lives of our firefighters, EMS personnel and their families. That relationship allows to be a part of some special events and today we were part of the birthday party for 4-year-old Rhett Bell, the son of Josh and Sarah Bell. Josh is a firefighter for the City of Charleston and Sarah is a member of the Lowcountry Fire Wives.
This past week, as we presented our Peer Training Class to prepare others to join our Team, we shared with them the need to build trust by being a part of the lives of those we serve. Joining our firefighters and paramedics during happy times is paramount to having them trust us during the rough times. We also shared the concept of having a “file folder” in our minds where we store, and sometimes hide, bad events that we encounter, both on the job and in our everyday lives. We encouraged them to also have a file folder where we can store the good events they experience to enable them to reach for those memories to lift their spirits during difficult times.
Well today, being there with my little buddy Rhett opened up my positive file folder to remember my days as a child when my Daddy was a firefighter in Conway, South Carolina. There was nothing more special than riding with my Dad and experiencing first hand, the thrill of being on a fire engine. The smile on my face in this photo was not only for Rhett but also for my hero. Somehow, I felt my Dad was with us today, at least smiling down on us, as we continue the tradition of teaching our children the excitement of the Fire Service and the joys of life.
Thanks Rhett, I have already filed our experience today in my good folder.