Several firefighters died in the line of duty over the recent holidays. As I explained to a firefighter calling in to notify us of a firefighter death, fires and firefighter deaths take no holiday. Line-of-duty deaths in Georgia, Boston and New York certainly dampened the spirit for families and fire companies in these areas.
In a fire that broke out at 1 A.M. on New Year's Day in Schuylerville, NY, 47-year-old Brian D. Myers Sr. died while operating as the nozzleman under the command of his oldest son, Brian Jr., who was the officer. Following an apparent ceiling collapse and flashover, Brian Sr. suffered burns to 80 percent of his body and was killed. Brian Jr. was injured and Firefighter Tommy Temple suffered critical burns and was removed to a burn center. Myers' youngest son, a "probie," also was at the fire. To round out the firefighting family, the middle son is a firefighter in the U.S. Air Force.
Over the course of the year, we receive many poems related to the fire service. We usually hold these rather than printing them, not meaning any disrespect for those who offer these fine works. This month, we are making an exception. A copy of a poem was given to me recently that summed up a lot in a few short lines:
Remember that it was meant to be
Lay me down and when you leave
Remember I'll be at your sleeve
In every dark and choking hall
I'll be there as you slowly crawl
On every roof in driving snow
I'll hold your coat and you will know
In cellars hot with searing heat
At windows where a gate you meet
In closets where young children hide
You know I'll be there at your side
The house from which I now respond
Is overstaffed with heroes gone
Men who answered one last bell
Did the job and did it well
As firemen we understand
That death's a card dealt in our hand
A card we hope we never play
But one we hold there anyway
That card is something we ignore
As we crawl across a weakened floor
For we know that we're the only prayer
For anyone that might be there
So remember as you wipe your tears
The joy I knew throughout the years
As I did the job I loved to do
I pray that thought will see you through.
In memory of James B. Williams, FDNY Ladder 121, who died in the line of duty, January 1996, and to all the firefighters who gave their lives so others may live.
