The Inspirational Page

The EMS Prayer // The EMT Prayer
The EMT Oath // EMT Code of Ethics
The Oath of Geneva // The Fire Fighter's Prayer
Firemen Don't Have A Chance // Firefighter Blood
The Redneck Volunteer Fireman // A Cop On The Take
Memorials
Fallen Rockbridge County Firefights and EMTs

An EMS Prayer

As I perform my duty Lord
Whatever be the call,
Help to guide and keep me safe
From dangers big and small.

I want to serve and do my best
No matter what the scene,
I pledge to keep my skills refined,
My judgment quick and keen.

This calling to give of my self
Most do not understand,
But I stand ready all the time
To help my fellow man.

To have the chance to help a child
Restore his laugh with glee,
A word of thanks I might not hear,
But knowing is enough for me.

The praise of men is fine for some,
But I feel truly blessed,
That you oh Lord have chosen me
To serve in EMS!

L. Lipps

An EMT Prayer

God...grant me the ability to give
Emergency care
With skillful hands, knowledgeable mind
And tender love and care.
Help me deal with everything,
When lives are on the line
To see the worst, administer aid, and
Ease a worried mind.
So help me as I go today
Accept what fate may be
Touch these hands, use this mind,
Help this EMT.

Amen

--Author Unknown

EMT Oath

Be it pledged as an Emergency Medical Technician, I will honor the physical and judicial laws of God and man. I will follow that regimen which, according to my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit of patients and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous, nor shall I suggest any such counsel. Into whatever homes I enter, I will go into them for the benefit of only the sick and injured, never revealing what I see or hear in the lives of men unless required by law.

I shall also share my medical knowledge with those who may benefit from what I have learned. I will serve unselfishly and continuously in order to help make a better world for all mankind.

While I continue to keep this oath inviolate, may it be granted to me to enjoy life, and the practice of the art, respected by all men, in all times. Should I trespass or violate this oath, may the reverse be my lot. So help me God.

Adopted by:
The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, 1978

EMT Code Of Ethics

Professional status as an Emergency Medical Technician and Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic is maintained and enriched by the willingness of the individual practitioner to accept and fulfill obligations to society, other medical professionals, and the profession of Emergency Medical Technician. As an Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic, I solemnly pledge myself to the following code of professional ethics:

A fundamental responsibility of the Emergency Medical Technician is to conserve life, to alleviate suffering, to promote health, to do no harm, and to encourage the quality and equal availability of emergency medical care.

The Emergency Medical Technician provides services based on human need, with respect for human dignity, unrestricted by consideration of nationality, race creed, color, or status.

The Emergency Medical Technician does not use professional knowledge and skills in any enterprise detrimental to the public well being.

The Emergency Medical Technician respects and holds in confidence all information of a confidential nature obtained in the course of professional work unless required by law to divulge such information.

The Emergency Medical Technician, as a citizen, understands and upholds the law and performs the duties of citizenship; as a professional, the Emergency Medical Technician has the never-ending responsibility to work with concerned citizens and other health care professionals in promoting a high standard of emergency medical care to all people.

The Emergency Medical Technician shall maintain professional competence and demonstrate concern for the competence of other members of the Emergency Medical Services health care team.

An Emergency Medical Technician assumes responsibility in defining and upholding standards of professional practice and education.

The Emergency Medical Technician assumes responsibility for individual professional actions and judgment, both in dependent and independent emergency functions, and knows and upholds the laws which affect the practice of the Emergency Medical Technician.

An Emergency Medical Technician has the responsibility to be aware of and participate in matters of legislation affecting the Emergency Medical Service System.

The Emergency Medical Technician, or groups of Emergency Medical Technicians, who advertise professional service, do so in conformity with the dignity of the profession.

The Emergency Medical Technician has an obligation to protect the public by not delegating to a person less qualified, any service which requires the professional competence of an Emergency Medical Technician

The Emergency Medical Technician will work harmoniously with and sustain confidence in Emergency Medical Technician associates, the nurses, the physicians, and other members of the Emergency Medical Services health care team.

The Emergency Medical Technician refuses to participate in unethical procedures, and assumes the responsibility to expose incompetence or unethical conduct of others to the appropriate authority in a proper and professional manner.

Adopted by:
The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians

The Oath Of Geneva

I solemnly pledge myself to consecrate my life to the service of humanity; I will give to my teachers the respect and gratitude which is their due; I will practice my profession with conscience and dignity; the health of my patient will be my first consideration; I will respect the secrets which are confided in me; I will maintain by all the means in my power the honor and noble traditions of the medical profession; my colleagues will be my brothers; I will not permit considerations of religion, nationality, race, party, politics, or social standing to intervene between my duty and my patient; I will maintain the utmost respect for human life from the time of conception; even under threat, I will not make use of my medical knowledge contrary to the laws of humanity. I make these promises solemnly, freely, and upon my honor.

A Firefighter's Prayer

When I am called to duty, God,
whenever flames may rage;
Give me strength to save some life,
whatever be its age.

Help me embrace a little child
before it is too late
Or save an older person from
the horror of that fate.

Enable me to be alert
and hear the weakest shout,
And quickly and efficiently
to put the fire out.

I want to fill my calling
and to give the best in me,
To guard my every neighbor
and protect his property.

And if, according to my fate,
I am to lose my life;
Please bless with your protecting hand
my children and my wife.

--Author Unknown

Firemen Don't Have A Chance

When the fire trucks are delayed 40 seconds in traffic, People say:
"It took them 20 minutes to get here."

When the truck races at 40 m.p.h., it's:
"Look at those reckless fools."

When four men struggle with an eight-man ladder:
"They don't even know how to raise a ladder."

When firemen open windows for ventilation to reduce heat in fighting a fire:
"Look at the wrecking crew."

When they open the floor to get at a blaze:
"There goes the axe squad."

If the chief stands back where he can see and direct his men, people say:
"He's afraid to go where he sends his men."

If they lose a building:
"It's a lousy department."

If they make a good "stop" folks say:
"The fire didn't amount to much."

If lots of water is necessary:
"They are doing more damage with water than the flames."

If a fireman gets hurt:
"He was a careless guy."

It a citizen gets hurt:
"It's a crazy department."

If a fireman inspects a citizen's property:
"He's meddling in somebody's business."

If he wants a fire hazard correct:
"I'll see the mayor."

If he gets killed and leaves a family destitute:
"That's the chance he took when he joined the fire department."

Author unknown

FIREFIGHTER BLOOD

I have firefighter blood.
I am not a firefighter.
I am a sister to a firefighter.
I am a niece to a firefighter.
I am a granddaughter to a firefighter.
I am a cousin to firefighters.
I have firefighter blood.

I grew up in a firefighter house.
I listened to the scanner.
I anxiously awaited details about the call.
I was relieved when the firefighters returned.
Sirens do not bother me.
Sirens remind me that someone is risking their life for another human being.
I wake to sirens each night.
I do not sleep through them.
I am not annoyed when sirens awaken me.
I am appreciative that someone, again, is risking their life for another human being.

Flashing lights are a sign to me that help is on the way.
I quickly retreat from the path of the flashing lights.
I sometimes even follow the flashing lights.
Why?
I have firefighter blood.

Firefighter blood is uncommon.
Firefighter blood breeds in families.
Firefighter blood injects adrenaline into all it touches.
Mothers, daughters, sons, fathers.
It touches all who are connected by blood.
Firefighter blood teaches true compassion.
True service. True human emotion. True fear.
True love for those who serve.
I have firefighter blood.

I never escape from the sight of emergency.
I lean towards the need to serve.
I support all others who have firefighter blood.
I support my brother, the firefighter.
I support my uncle, the firefighter.
I support my cousins, the firefighters.
I support my grandpa, a great firefighter.
I support the firefighters who never leave my brother's, uncle's,
cousins', grandfather's side in time of duty.
I have firefighter blood.

My children will have firefighter blood.
As my mother has firefighter blood, I, her child, has firefighter blood.
It is an endless cycle that will never be stopped.
Compassionate, loving, brave people emerge from the families that breed firefighter blood.
My family is tied together by firefighter blood.
We are not only tied to one another, but all who serve and all who touch
our lives through the veins of firefighter blood.

I have firefighter blood.
I am not a firefighter.
I am a sister to a firefighter.
I am a niece to a firefighter.
I am a granddaughter to a firefighter.
I am a cousin to firefighters.
I have firefighter blood.

-Alexa Thomas, Copyright 2001
Alexandria, VA

The Redneck Volunteer Fireman

Yes, Mr. Citizen, I�m that Redneck Volunteer Fireman. I chew tobacco and I have one of those silly red lights on my car. I even blow my horn at you when I�m going on a call. Sometimes my siren wakes you up at night and, at times, you may have to wait at a light a little longer to let me by. But I�m not going to apologize.

You complain about me wasting your tax money, but don�t understand when I say I can�t tie equipment up pumping out your pool. You say I don�t know my job, but when you smell smoke at night and call me, suddenly I�m an expert. You complain because my boss lets me leave work for a fire and doesn�t let you leave for your social club meeting but you forget the night the plant caught fire and I saved your job.

You say I�m only in it for fun, but you fail to see my sickness and exhaustion following a fire. You say I like seeing injuries and that death doesn�t bother me, but how could you understand my sleepless nights because of the life I couldn�t save. I pray that you and others in the community never need my services, and all I ask in return is that you pray for me while I do my job. I�m not a perfect person and I�ll never say I am, but, yes Mr. Citizen, I�m a Redneck Volunteer Fireman, and pretty proud of it.

I don't know who wrote this, but I thought you might enjoy reading it.
If anyone knows who wrote it, please email me and I will give credit. Thanks!

"A Cop On The Take"

First he Takes the Oath,

Then look at all he takes

He takes it in stride when people call him pig.
He takes time to stop and talk to children.
He takes your verbal abuse while giving you a ticket you really deserved.
He takes on creeps you would be afraid to even look at.
He takes time away from his family to keep you safe.

He takes your injured child to the hospital.
He takes the graveyard shift without complaint because it's his turn.
He takes his life into his hands daily.
He takes you home when your car breaks down.
He takes time to explain why both your headlights have to work.
He takes the job no one else wants-telling you a loved one has died.
He takes criminals to jail.

He takes in sights that would make you cry;
Sometimes he cries too, but he takes it anyway because someone has to.
If he is lucky, he takes retirement.
He takes memories to bed each night that you couldn't bear for even one day.

Sometimes, he takes a bullet.
And yes, occasionally he may take a free cup of coffee.
Then one day he pays for all he has taken, and God takes him.

Author Unknown