RETIRED CAPTAIN PITTSBURGH FIRE DEPARTMENT
UNHAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY
It has been over nine years now since three Pittsburgh Firefighters loss their lives in a house fire in the early morning of Valentine's Day-1995. Among them was Captain Tom Brooks who was a friend of mine and who I actually broke in by taking him to three multiple alarm fires his first week out of the training academy back in 1982. Tom and I worked together for about two years. He was one of the nicest men that I worked with as a firefighter. I miss him dearly and think of him often. Included in the three were Pittsburgh's first female firefighter to die in the line of duty Pat Conroy, and Marc Kolenda the son of one of our deputy chiefs with just about one year on the job. I never had the pleasure of meeting Pat or Marc.
THIS PAGE IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF THESE BRAVE FIREFIGHTERS
ON VALENTINE'S DAY-FEBRUARY 14, 1995 GOD CALLED HIS SWEETHEARTS HOME!!
ABOVE ARTWORK COURTESY PAUL WALSH
THE LAST ALARM---------BY JOHN FLAHERTY
Sleep brave Fire Fighter,the struggle is over.
With courage you have answered your last alarm.
Your strife finished,now you lay in well-earned rest.
So sleep on now,You are safe at last from alarm.
No longer must you arise because one more
fate's cruel appointment with danger must be kept.
No longer to brave the heat,the smoke and flames.
While with peaceful dreams the rest of the world slept.
You withstood the afternoon's oppressive heat
And the bitter winter's snow you know too well.
You've earned your heaven,for you've already faced
The seething,infernal raging flames of hell.
How can we thank you for the gifts you gave us,
Greater peace of mind,lesser danger and fear?
We give thanks to God for a much safer world,
A world that's much safer because you were here.
Now your brave comrades will carry on for you,
For the struggle goes on,it can never cease.
You have valiantly answered your last alarm,
So sleep now brave Fire Fighter,Sleep on in peace.
You see, being a firefighter is much more than showing up for work and drawing a paycheck. It's a commitment to your fellow man to be there when you are needed. It's a brotherhood of individuals with a common bond of service to others and a giving of your all so that others don't suffer. It's rushing into situations that everyone else is doing everything they can to escape. It's fighting with your entire heart, body and soul to save the life that is so desparately in need of your tender, loving care. It's living the very embodiment of the term "public servant".
My friend lived that commitment to the fullest, which is how I learned the name. In his final call he rushed in as he had so many times before. This time however, he paid the ultimate price. He had always been there for others, but now we gather for him. This we do to pay our respects for a hero; not because he died, but because he lived and served his fellow man well. As we pay our respects we pause and realize that for some greater reason unknown to us, there lies my friend instead of me. As I ponder the events that led me here, words alone cannot express the intense sorrow and yet, overwhelming pride that is felt. Until today, I didn't know the name but I knew him well...my friend was a fellow firefighter. Dedicated to all who have served their fellow man and made their final call.
THAT LAST AND FINAL CALL
By DISTRICT JUSTICE ANNE SCHARDING
That call came in, like all the others,
And was answered, it was routine --
How could they know, while getting ready?
Another fire -- "Zone Three-Fifteen."
Pumper pounding, siren screaming,
"Man the Plug," "Drop the Ladder,"
All well-trained, they knew the job...
Silently, to their places scatter.
Smoke billowing, pungent --
It rolled, so dark and thick,
They wrestled hoses; "Get the people out!"
They responded, Oh, so quick!
Tongues of flames,dancing wildly,
Yet they always faced that danger,
The job that they were trained for,
"Risk your life to save a stranger."
Beams aglow and heat unholy,
In snow and bitter weather,
Captain leading -- there to guide them,
They bravely went inside together.
Each depending on the other,
Gestured teamwork they knew so well,
This -- their last response together,
They boldly faced the fires of hell.
The staircase gave -- crashing down,
Glowing embers shot to the sky,
Death was waiting there inside,
Who knew then, all three would die?
Who chose that crew, or that location?
Who chose the numbers of that fatal call?
Who chose that night and not tomorrow?
There are no answers, none at all!
And what of those who stood in wonder?
What of those who watched it fall?
What of those who were to witness
The response to that final call?
Oh, the heartache that tore thru them,
Oh, the hurt they felt inside!
There they stood, they couldn't stop it...
So helpless, as their. buddies died.
It's a job that they were trained for,
Every day to face new danger,
"Man the plug" and "Drop the ladder,"
Risk your life to save a stranger!
Just a job? Not all could do it,
All well trained, they know too well,
That all lives hang in the balance,
Every time they hear the bell.
Do not take these crews for granted,
Remember always that they care,
When that truck or siren passes...
Bow your head and say a prayer!
Captain Brooks, Marc Kolenda, Patty Conroy,
Know for sure they gave their all...
On that morning, February 14, 1995 --
They responded... To their last and final call!
On Valentine's Day... God called His Sweethearts home!
Just a job? Not all could do it, All well trained, they know too well, That all lives hang in the balance, Every time they hear the bell.
Do not take these crews for granted, Remember always that they care, When that truck or siren passes... Bow your head and say a prayer!
Captain Brooks, Marc Kolenda, Patty Conroy, Know for sure they gave their all... On that morning, February 14, 1995 -- They responded... To their last and final call!
On Valentine's Day... God called His Sweethearts home!
FIREFIGHTERS LAST CALL