Courage, duty, honor and service, these words are not just verbs, but they are a lifestyle. Used alone they can be very powerful. Group these words together and you describe some of the most devoted people in the world. Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technicians in Alabama are some of the best this service has to offer. Through training, continuing education and caring about the industry, towns, cities, the State and Nation they serve.

Courage:  the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.

Each day the men and women of the Fire Service and Emergency Medical Services face new and challenging situations that would be beyond the average person. In their positions these individuals face life and death, destruction and devastation. Yet finding the skill to perform their best in the public’s worst takes a special kind of person. Not only the individual firefighter or EMT, but also the family that has learned to accept the lifestyle of their loved ones and handle the fear and realization that each day could collect their loved one during their chosen path.

Duty: obligatory tasks, conduct, service, or functions that arise from one's position.

Each individual accepted their duty, willfully and without reservation when they chose to embark upon the life of a firefighter and/or an EMT. This is a lifestyle that includes by force of moral obligation to follow certain paths. Paths of exemplary dedication to successfully completing task either taught or directed to them, conduct on and off duty that can be clear of questionable judgment. With willingness to not only perform certain functions but to maintain standards of training and education that will allow these firefighters and EMTs to complete these functions in the best method possible.

Honor: an evidence or symbol of distinction.

 Being included in these fields, each individual (who is a piece of a team working together) these men and women perform these duties with the honor of knowing they serve fellow man with distinction. To go into places and situations most people run from, to unselfishly give to a stranger protection and service with the possibility of not returning home sets these individuals apart from the crowd, even if they do not want that title.

Service: the work performed by one that serves; contribution to the welfare of others. 

All firefighters and EMTs are servants to the public and contribute to the well being of others. Quietly they go about the business of protecting life and property. Doing so through their individual parts, such as operation a fire truck or administering life saving drugs. Most of the time these individuals perform multiple roles simultaneously on each call for help. This service is not taken lightly. Many hours of classroom work, training and continuing education are at play along with years of on the job training. Each of these heroes risking injury or the ultimate sacrifice each and every time they answer the call for help.

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