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Steve Hartman of CBS News visits Fire Station 1 in Lansing, Michigan.
Also on STATter911 …
- Quick Takes: July 9, 2012. – July 9, 2012
- Raw video: House fire in Buffalo, New York. – February 19, 2012
- Pre-arrival video: Basement fire with evacuation ordered at vacant South St. Louis storefront & residence. – October 18, 2012
- Helmet-cam video: Garage fire in Highland Park, MI. – June 6, 2013
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Despite all the nonsense we engage in on a daily basis, despite the idiots flipping the bird to passing crowds, despite budgets cuts and never ending crises, this is what being a firefighter is all about- SERVICE. It is about being an integral part of a community and having the role of SERVICE elevated above all other roles. Tony may not be impressed by the aggressive interior attack or by CAFS or by betting engine two, but you cannot put a value on a bunch of firefighters washing him and his clothes.
This story deserved to be on the news and deserves to be shown at the start of each shift and a the place where they test new recruits. Where I come from almost every fire station has a story of a kid who came and never left. You can talk about anything you want but this story is what makes the fire SERVICE great and makes America a great place to live.
May God continue to bless those boys and that town. A story like that makes me want to live in a place like that.
Where’s the like button for this? This story is about one thing – compassion. Lansing, good job. And thank you!
Good post dave! It’s really refreshing to see that there are still guys out there that really care for their community and the people in it. Should be this way every where, an inspiration to us all. Hope the people in that community saw this. Take care and stay safe!
I work for a neighboring dept and did my ride alongs at LFD St 1 many years ago for medic school. Tony is a great guy, and he really is one of the family down there. Great story!
It is great to see a department in a positive light. Seems too often the press is focused on negative subject matter. Thanks to the men and women of Station 1 for being a positive inspiration to all!
Great story Dave. Thank you to our Michigan brothers for reminding us of the core values that F/F and EMT’s share. All communities and cities share similar stories and too often those stories are never shown. I remember a special gentleman from Ward 3 in DC who spent many meals at Engine 31/RS-4. He had his own uniform complete with Lt.’s brass. He was even once mistaken for an acutal on-duty officer by a Fire Chief in the early 80′s. Tommy gave many of us a story that will never be forgotten. Thanks Dave for the great story.
Tommy must have been a good judge of character Gary, because he was always suspicious of me as the press.
Statter
These guys have the most important firefighting tactic right. If you get that one correct, then all the rest come easy.
Bravo Zulu Men! Good story and these guys go above and beyond, but you can find these types of stories all over the country. Our “mascot” has been around for years and the guys do some of the same things for him and never think twice about it. The fire service all over America is made up of good people, we just don’t always get to hear about em.
After a week of watergate and bird flipping I think we all needed to see that there are good guys left in the fire service.
Great story. Hopefully it will serve as a lesson for some of the troubled departments on our country.
Thank you Dave. It reminds us that “Do the right thing.” is what the fire service is about. Every recruit class would spend a worthwhile 2 1/2 minutes in the country to watch this.
We have a Guy that never misses a bingo night he loves to help. Although he has family for his daily needs Heisman taken care of at bingo
What a great story, what a brotherhood, stand proud LFD truly a good example of how fire departments should operate. local1682
Just what most of us have done for years, take care of the folks!! Try convincing a politician or city manager of that today!!! Nice job guys.
Outstanding! A wonderful example of why this nation continues to be a beacon for the rest of the world.
There’s a lot that could be said about this tory – that already said and that not yet said – but, this story speaks for itself.
My allergies kicked in while watching this.
I don’t know the ISO rating of Lansing Fire, but it’s a Class 1 department all the way.
Nice job guys. A good lesson for everyone.
heartwarming story in a time when alot of people look down on people for stupid things , these brothers took in a man while he couldnt do there firefighting job , he took another job over 50 years ago , family member and a true brother !!!! god bless you tony and you awsome brothers stay safe
Great Story and way to go to the FIREMEN!!!!
video not available in your country = DISLIKE
Beautiful story everyone can learn something from this.
I wish every mayor and city council was forced to watch this. It’s not just a “numbers game” when they reduce staffing and close stations. They need to explore EVERY solution before making these choices!! There’s a strong sense of community these FF’s feel that the politicians will never realize. They need to remember that more times than not, that recently closed station was in a NEIGHBORHOOD! While FF’s have seen many politicians come and go, they’re still in their neighborhood doing what they do! 24/7 and ready to answer the call at any time. No questions asked! Great article! Thanks for sharing.
In this hyperpoliticized era of us vs. them, rich vs. poor, successful vs. unsuccessfuel, Republican vs. Democrat this simple act of kindness should remind all of us in pulic safety of why we serve. Yes, we should show this in recruit school. Better yet, we should show it every morning at shift change. Should put the rest of the tour into the proper context!
“Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers you do to me.” Matthew 25.
I once fixed a flat tire for a child in the neighborhood because she was crying and didnt know what to do or where else to go. I brought her in the firehouse, gave her some cold water and mopped up the tears and patched the tire as we talked. My chief found out about it from a thank you letter the mom wrote to the department and i got “the liability speech”. When he asked why i put the department in that position i asked, if your grandchild came by the firehouse and asked and i said “sorry cant help you” what kind of conversation would we be having right now? I thought we were here to be part of and HELP the community. If it happens again (and it did), i’m doing it again and will gladily take the write up…and the thank you letter
I am suprised that the public has not jumped on this because of the suggested waste on a civilian the company is giving this one man. With all the economic problems they have in michigan, i feel vindicated for the tongue lashing i got for fixing a tire on a childs bike on a saturday afternoon.
With all the awards we bestow on those in our profession for various things, i nominate Lansing station 1 for outstanding community service. GREAT JOB, looking out for a member of the community like that and expecting nothing in return. God Bless you all. anybody that says this is wrong, too bad for you
I wonder if him and Lawrence are facebook buddy’s??
I thought it was a nice heartwarming story until it got to the part where it said they were giving him baths. Sorry, I have to draw the line somewhere.
I know you’re probably trying to make a joke…but when it comes down to budget cuts, I hope the public doesn’t draw the line just above your paycheck.
How is anyone going to deny the level of service these guys provide? They even bath the guy, and he sits next to the chief at the kitchen table. It’s stories like this that stand out more than incredible rescues, or death-defying feats of bravery. Just a single act of kindess started by one firefighter years ago, changed this guy’s life for the better. We should all be so lucky, and are all better in the knowing. Kudos fellas.
So you’re saying you’d never give a family member a bath if they were unable to? I’d hate to be your parents. This guy is family. You take care of family.
To the guys of Frie Station 1 in Lansing, Thank You. It warms my heart and restores my faith in good people. We don’t get to hear a whole lot about good people, and it doesn’t surprise me that the good people here are firefighters.
I watched that story on teevee last night and it brought me smiles and tears.
Dave, thanks for making sure lots of others get to see the story too.
The remarkable part of this story is he has been a part of that station for 50 years! It great how the senior guys have passed this work with Tommy on for generations. That true leadership. Awesome story!!!
Reminds me of our ( IFD ) Georgie. It is our constant reminder what our real job is. We are now the last service the public depends on. Let us all remember that.
Hi Dave,
I am sure there are lots of us north of the 49th parallel who would like to see what all the commentary is about. CBS apparently blocks Canada out of the clip, as it states not available in your country???. If there some way you can re=load it I’m sure the Brothers/Sisters in Ontario would like to view it, and I am sure I’d like to see it as well. Thanks.
Does this work any better? http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7414072n&tag=mg;eveningnews
Or does this http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57467889/disabled-man-finds-home-at-michigan-firehouse/?tag=showDoorFlexGridLeft;flexGridModule
I can’t reload it. It would be a copyright violation. I don’t want CBS owning STATter911, do you?
Awesome Story
Michigan FF, hope the day never comes for you that you have to give your Mother or Father a bath because they can’t do it for themselves. Whats the big deal?
To the boys in Lansing, my hats off to you. This is what the FD is all about….or used to be. You guys are a class act.
Tip of the leather to the Lansing boys! Outstanding and yes, I wish every probie and sr. FF alike should see this, some good humbling for some.
Way to go brothers. The general public needs to see things like this. It’s only the small percentage of the public that see us on a daily basis that know how deep our profession goes. Most people think that we just sit around, watch tv, and use our career as a way to pick up dates or get free things. The truth is, people give us stuff because of our passion to help people and our outstanding service to our communities. If you talk to anyone who has had a troubled time where they called the FD for anything, they will tell you how great each and every person is.
They are kind, compasionate and an inspiration. Hero’s in every way!
#3 Platoon bathes Lawrence.
My large metropolitan, sad-ass, politically correct, non-confrontational, “citizen is always right” department wouldn’t allow such a thing like this – they’d say it’s a liability having him in the station, or the citizens would complain that we didn’t do their laundry on the taxpayers’ dime or bath their elderly parents also. 22 years later, I wish I was working somewhere else like Lansing.
We had a guy named Dale that came by the station for 40+ years. Then his family put him in a home on the other end of the state. He was just like one of the guys and could tell us some great stories about the old days..
First, to Mich. F.F., yes you must be a young buck. Wait until your parents age, you’ll have to do things you never thought of doing. They become your kids! Think about that.
Back to the story, very good, who can argue that. Reflecting
what AA said, I’m glad the city hasn’t pulled the plug on this. Them taking care of him, feeding him and especially driving him home in a dept. vehicle. Hopefully no one complains after this story airs.
Most departments wouldn’t have allowed this.
Thank you very much Dave, those added links worked spendidly and I was as well as many others up north were able to see. Reminded me of a similiar situation in Winnipeg although not over quite so many years but none the less a real heart warming situation and great for the crews in Lansing. It appears they were way ahead of the Bruno curve with Mr.Mrs. Smith and customer & community service. Each one of the members thruout the years should feel special they have indeed carried the mission and ultimate purpose of the Fire Service.
With the way the world is going at times this special person has not fallen thru the cracks but been looked after by the Brother’s & Sisters without fanfare.
We have been extremely busy as of late with the high temps/hunmidity and I have been away from the Blogs, so checking in today I appreciate you looking after us with the link. Yes I concur we would not appreciate CBS owning you and in the process us losing you. Stay Well & Thanks again.
There’s no such thing as an off-duty firefighter. They protect and serve 24/7.
…for some reason, it says this video is not available in my country.Is there another link that I can use?