To err is human...

[Firefighter1219]

To err is human. To forgive is divine.

In my short time here at firehouse.com, I have managed to make a bad reputation for myself. At the same time I have also managed to **** a lot of poeple off. It seems to me that I am very good at doing this. I do not do it intentionally.

I would like to ask a few things of you ladies and gentlmen. Forgive me for my childish actions. I would like everyone to forget about all previous posts that I have made that were hateful, malicious, and a waste of space. This would probably include most of my posts. However, some of the posts were not a waste.

I would like to retract all previous posts that were described as malicious above. Please help me to wipe my slate clean and start over. I want to return to my previous reason to using this website: research and learning. Lately I have been using this site for entertainment, though.

If you ladies and gentlemen would please do what I have so humbly asked of you, I will change my ways in posting and make sure not to put anymore garbage on the forums. Please do not call me a whacker or a pup or anything derrogatory anymore. If I happen to say something dumb in a post, please do not point it out to whole world and exploit my errors. If you feel that there is something that you can help me learn, than please do so in a non-condescending manner.

Having said that, I would like to re-introduce myself.

Joshua M. Houston
Gadsden County Fire Service
Concord Volunteer Fire Department (1219)

[CJMinick390]

This is a good start. What yourself (and many other people new to the fire service) need to learn is that the best way to make a good impression with your brothers and sisters is to listen and learn. Ask questions, yes. But realize that many of the people who post on here have many years of experience. They don't suffer fools gladly and they are not afraid to put you in your place if they think you need it. Many times they are trying to make you a better firefighter if you listen to what they tell you. The most important thing to remember about the fire service is that you earn respect by doing your job well without fanfare.

[Just a new name]

The 1st thing you should do is lose your signature. Every self respecting firefighter knows that movie was made in the land of make believe. Why just last night fire shot up and looked at me. I looked at him and we had a stare down contest. I made a pot of coffee and we had a long talk about why he (fire) was so angry. I am also only a firefighter when I have to be. My wife hates in when I play firefighter at home. Second, most people you enter act with here are very knowledgeable in the fire service. The remark you made about some of the other very senior members here was way out of line. As you can see I have been a member here since 1999. I don’t have too many posts because I like to read and learn. You will see every once in awhile I will chime in. Oh yeah I have been in the fire service for 10 years. So it best for you and all of the new and Jr. firefighters here to shut up and listen every once in while and learn something. Post like “how many lights can I jam on my car” you will find will not be very productive here. I am not saying that you should not ask questions but make sure you think about it first. I find it help to say it out loud to your self. So anyway welcome and be safe.

[glowpop]

Originally posted by Firefighter1219
To err is human. To forgive is divine.

I would like everyone to forget about all previous posts that I have made that were hateful, malicious, and a waste of space.

I would like to retract all previous posts that were described as malicious above.

If you ladies and gentlemen would please do what I have so humbly asked of you, I will change my ways in posting and make sure not to put anymore garbage on the forums.

First, I can forgive but that doesn't mean I have to forget, and neither should you. The first act of forgiveness and correcting poor behavior is acceptance. Acceptance that the act occured and that it cannot be changed. But I do forgive you.

I also suggest that you look clearly at all of your posts with a new heart. Why is it that you joined the fire service? Is it because you wished to help others? If so, then consider that "I" isn't as much a part of it as much as what you do for others; your fellow man/woman and your brothers/sisters.

You can succeed in this mission much better with ears than with you fingers or mouth.

Lastly, I do not believe that you can tell whether I am condecending or not on this media. You cannot hear my voice or see my face. Please don't assume that I am being something that I am not.

[Firefighter1219]

I joined the fire service because I want to help people. Plain and simple. I meant to forget about the statements in a since that they are now irrelevant. I have retracted these statements. That does not mean that you should completely forget about them. I only hope that you will not hold the statements against me.

As to the thread about the lights, that was simply a question. I have never had contact with other volunteer departments, outside of of Havana VFD and Lake Iamonia VFD. I simply did not know that there was an ongoing battle about the situation.

[Ohiovolffemtp]

FF1219,
We work best with others when there is mutual respect. Those of us with many years in the service expect to show it to each other and expect it to be shown to us. You may well see us disagree with each other but you should never see us attack each other.

We expect to be treated with respect by new folks like you. If we are, we will gladly treat new folks as students eager to learn. We know that the promising ones are the future of fire and EMS. We will respect your energy, desire to learn, and commitment to the service - if and only if - you show us the respect due to folks who have learned much and have learned the most important lesson: that we don't know it all.

You didn't start off that way. By forgiving and not forgetting, we'll give you a second chance - but not a third. Ask questions - that's good. If you don't understand or have heard a different answer, say something like, "I'm trying to understand two different answers and why they're different." Don't argue - seek clarification & more explanation. Acknowledge what you've been told, especially if it's a correction.

Do you understand and agree?

[Firefighter1219]

Yes.

[firenresq77]

1219 - You have made the first step. We are here to help you along as much as we can. Just remember to take the advice as it is given to you. There is so much to learn on here, and from many different types of people with ranging years of experience. We all will learn from each other as long as we all make the effort....